Monday, November 24, 2008

Moore's word is his Bond

Hundreds of shoppers queued out of the door of an Auckland book store on Friday to catch a glimpse of iconic British film star Sir Roger Moore.
Sir Roger is in the city to launch his autobiography, My Word is My Bond.
Whitcoulls store supervisor Jeremy Eyles told NZPA that just before 4.30pm more than 300 people were lining up to get up close to the James Bond star.
"We've had good sales of his autobiography today and it's great to see so many people have turned out to meet him.
"The last time we had this many people in the store was when Terry Pratchett and Jamie Oliver were here about two years ago," Eyles said.
At 81, Moore is certainly one of the more elderly celebrities to visit New Zealand in support of their autobiography, but his fans were clearly eager to snap up a copy.
Earlier he was a guest at a literary lunch at Auckland's Hyatt Regency Hotel.
On Saturday he will be at Borders in Sylvia Park from 12pm until 1pm.
Suave and sophisticated, Moore has starred in some of the most popular films and television series of the past half century - from his roles in The Saint and The Persuaders to Agent 007.
He has also become heavily involved in the United Nations children's organisation Unicef.
My Word is My Bond looks back on his life and career - from his early childhood in wartime London to life as a struggling actor and his early Hollywood days, to his battle with prostate cancer.
The book goes behind the scenes of playing some of the world's most famous roles - and playing alongside the world's most legendary stars.
Born in London, Moore started out as a trainee animator. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and a stint in the British Army, he worked in theatre and radio, then as a model and salesman before a contract with MGM in 1953 led to Hollywood and roles in TV series Ivanhoe and Maverick.
But it was the hit series The Saint that brought international stardom. He went on to play James Bond on the big screen in seven films, more than any other 007. And in 2003, he was awarded a knighthood for his work for Unicef.