PIERCE Brosnan has paid tribute to the late Sir Roger Moore, the longest-serving actor to play James Bond.
Pierce, 64, wrote a touching homage to the award-winning actor, who passed away in Switzerland on May 23, aged 89, after a short battle with cancer.
Mr Moore was the third actor to play the iconic 007 character in seven films between 1973 and 1985.
Co. Meath native Pierce later became the fifth actor to portray Bond from 1995 and 2002.
Writing in Variety, Pierce revealed Sir Roger was his ‘first real hero’ as a young boy, having moved to London from Ireland.
“As a boy of 11, I left Ireland for London on August 12, 1964 — the same day Ian Fleming died,” Pierce wrote.
“That weekend I saw Goldfinger with Sean Connery at the ABC Cinema on Putney High Street with my mother, May, and my stepfather, Bill.
"How could I know then that my life would be entwined by the great alchemy of a cinematic hero such as James Bond?
“There I sat, that first weekend in my new life in London, motionless and spellbound by the beauty of CinemaScope. I had discovered the movies and Bond, James Bond.”
He added: “However, it cost money to go to the pictures. And that’s when I discovered my first real hero, Roger Moore.”
Pierce, 64, said Sir Roger was his 'first real hero' as an Irish immigrant in Britain. (Picture: Getty)Pierce explained that Sir Roger was the only actor he ever asked for an autograph, as a 12-year-old boy who “wanted to be like him.”
“Only on reflection do I see how much of an influence Roger Moore had on me as a young Irish immigrant lad from the banks of the River Boyne,” Pierce went on.
“Of course, I was only 12-years-old. Only now after 40 years as an actor do I know the hard road it takes to be one. It’s only now, after all these years, that I know he was a hero.
“He reigned over seven movies as James Bond with exceptional skill and comic timing laced with a stiletto vengeance… we fell in love with a magnificent actor.”
Pierce also told a story about his late wife, Cassandra Harris, who played Moore’s love interest in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only.
“By then Roger was the man — the world was at his feet,” Pierce said. “He was most gracious to the children and myself.”
Brosnan’s first attempt at emulating his hero came in 1995 with the release of GoldenEye.
Sir Roger, he said, was there to help him along the way.
“Roger came down to set one day on GoldenEye and wished me well. I was still in awe of the man,” he said.
“Last time I saw him was at the Albert Hall for a tribute to Cubby Broccoli. What more can one ask for?
“I am so proud to have known the kindness and humanity of Sir Roger Moore.”
