Claim: Pierce Brosnan played the role of Bond.

Pierce Brendan Brosnan , OBE -LRB- born 16 May 1953 -RRB- is an Irish actor , film producer , and activist who after leaving comprehensive school at age 16 , began training in commercial illustration . He then went on to train at the Drama Centre in London for three years . Following a stage acting career he rose to popularity in the television series Remington Steele -LRB- 1982 -- 87 -RRB- , which blended the genres of romantic comedy , drama , and detective procedural . After the conclusion of Remington Steele , Brosnan appeared in films such as the Cold War spy film The Fourth Protocol -LRB- 1987 -RRB- and the comedy Mrs. Doubtfire -LRB- 1993 -RRB- .   In 1994 , Brosnan became the fifth actor to portray secret agent James Bond in the Eon Productions film series , starring in four films from 1995 to 2002 -LRB- GoldenEye , Tomorrow Never Dies , The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day -RRB- . He lent his likeness for Bond in the video games James Bond 007 : Nightfire and James Bond 007 : Everything or Nothing , providing his voice for the latter . During this period , he also took the lead in other films including the epic disaster adventure film Dante 's Peak -LRB- 1997 -RRB- and the remake of the heist film The Thomas Crown Affair -LRB- 1999 -RRB- . Since leaving the role of Bond , he has starred in such films as the musical/romantic comedy Mamma Mia ! -LRB- 2008 -RRB- , the Roman Polanski-directed political thriller The Ghost Writer -LRB- 2010 -RRB- and the action spy thriller The November Man -LRB- 2014 -RRB- .   In 1996 , along with Beau St. Clair , Brosnan formed Irish DreamTime , a Los Angeles-based production company . In later years , he has become known for his charitable work and environmental activism . He was married to Australian actress Cassandra Harris from 1980 until her death in 1991 . He married American journalist and author Keely Shaye Smith in 2001 , and became an American citizen in 2004 , holding dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland . He has earned two Golden Globe Award nominations , first for the television miniseries Nancy Astor -LRB- 1982 -RRB- and next for the dark comedy film The Matador -LRB- 2005 -RRB- .