Sir Roger Moore was awarded the Order of Arts and Letters, one of France's highest honours, in a ceremony this week...

Sir Roger Moore Honoured In France
28th October 2008

British actor Roger Moore, who played the suave secret agent James Bond seven times, was awarded the Order of Arts and Letters, one of France's highest honours, at a ceremony held at the French Cultural ministry in Paris on Tuesday (28th October 2008).

French Culture Minister Christine Albanel hailed the 81-year-old former star of the James Bond films as a "legend of the big and small screen".

"France is happy and proud to honour a legendary actor with an immense heart," said Albanel.

With his wife, Christina, at his side, Moore said at the Paris award ceremony that the Arts and Letters award to him was worth "more than an Oscar".

Moore first became famous in the 1960s television series The Saint. He also teamed up with US actor Tony Curtis in the 1970 series The Persuaders, in which they played a couple of rich playboys with a sideline in investigating crimes. He played his first Bond film, "Live And Let Die", in 1973, taking over from Sean Connery. He played his last one, "A View To A Kill", in 1985.

 


Above: Sir Roger Moore with wife Christina

The 81-year-old actor was in Paris to promote his memoirs, which have just been published.

As well as his acting career, Moore has worked as a goodwill ambassador for the UN children's organisation UNICEF and received awards for his many years of charity work. In England, he received a CBE from the Queen in 1999 and he was knighted in 2003.


Above: Sir Roger Moore receives is honour from French Culture Minister Christine Albanel

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