<P> Commander James Bond RN--code number 007--is a fictional character created by the British journalist and novelist Ian Fleming in 1952 . The character appeared in a series of twelve novels and two short story collections written by Fleming and a number of continuation novels and spin - off works after Fleming's death in 1964 . There have been twenty - six films in total, produced between 1962 and 2015 . </P> <P> Fleming portrayed Bond as a tall, athletic, handsome secret agent in his thirties or forties; he has several vices including drinking, smoking, gambling, automobiles and womanising . He is an exceptional marksman, and skilled in unarmed combat, skiing, swimming and golf . While Bond kills without hesitation or regret, he usually kills only when carrying out orders, while acting in self - defence and occasionally as revenge . </P> <P> American actor Barry Nelson was the first to portray Bond on screen, in a 1954 television adaptation, "Casino Royale". In 1961 Eon Productions began work on Dr. No, an adaptation of the novel of the same name . The result was a film that spawned a series of twenty - four films produced by Eon Productions and two independent films . After considering the likes of "refined" English actors such as Cary Grant and David Niven, the producers cast Sean Connery as Bond in the film . Fleming was appalled at the selection of the uncouth, 31 - year - old Scottish actor, considering him to be the antithesis of his character . However, Connery's physical prowess and sexual magnetism in the role came to be closely identified with the character, with Fleming ultimately changing his view on Connery and incorporating aspects of his portrayal into the books . </P> <P> Seven actors in total have portrayed Bond on film . Following Connery's portrayal, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig have assumed the role . These screen versions have retained many traits from Fleming's depiction, although some of Bond's less fashionable attitudes have been dropped, such as racism, homophobia, retaining the services of a maid, and in the more recent films, smoking . Despite playing the same character, there have been notable differences among the portrayals . Daniel Craig is the incumbent Bond in the long - running Eon series, and played the part for a fourth time in the latest film, Spectre, released in October 2015 . </P>

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