1. Sean Connery
Average Box Office Earnings: $359.57 million per movie
Number of James Bond Movies Released: 6
Highest Grossing Film: Thunderball
For many, the ultimate image of Bond was portrayed by Sean Connery and no other. James Bond, under his depiction, has been termed the third-greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute. Being 6’2″, his large structural build was the perfect fit for playing the secret agent, and his charisma and appeal accurately reflected the Bond’s personality. The success of his first Bond film, Dr. No, was so unexpected for the author, Ian Fleming, who originally disapproved his casting, that he incorporated Connery’s Scottish heritage into the character’s background. Connery went on to act in five other James Bond movies, and in an independent Bond film, Never Say Never Again, made in 1983. His legacy is so influential that it is unparalleled by any other James Bond actor to date, which is why he is number one on our list of the 6 most successful James Bond actors ranked.
