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Actor and film producer Pierce Brosnan was born on May 16, 1953, in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland.
After leaving school, Brosnan decided to be a painter and began training in commercial illustration at Saint Martin's School of Art in London.
Brosnan's first television role was in a TV movie called 'Murphy's Stroke,' released in 1979. He made his cinema debut the following year in 'The Long Good Friday.' His big break, however, was a co-starring role in the hit American television series 'Remington Steele' (1982–1987).
'Remington Steele' was a huge success and placed Pierce Brosnan's star in the ascendency. The actor's next big role was starring opposite Michael Caine in the British Cold War spy thriller 'The Fourth Protocol.'
It was while Brosnan was in India filming 'The Deceivers' in 1987 that Cassandra Harris became seriously ill. Her passing deeply affected the actor and he took time out to mourn her loss.
In 1993, Brosnan appeared in the hit comedy-drama 'Mrs. Doubtfire' opposite Robin Williams and Sally Field.
Brosnan continued to divide his time between the big screen and the small screen before winning the coveted role of James Bond in 'GoldenEye.' Brosnan's Remington Steele character had convinced the producers that he was the right man for the 007 title, the fifth actor to play the British secret service agent.
'GoldenEye' received positive reviews, with critics viewing Brosnan as a definite improvement over his predecessor, Timothy Dalton.
Bond made Brosnan a global A-list star, and the offers rolled in. His next film was 'Mars Attacks!.' Tim Burton's whacky science fiction comedy featured an ensemble cast, with Brosnan rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, and Sarah Jessica Parker (pictured).
Three Brosnan pictures were released in 1997. The first, 'Robinson Crusoe,' disappeared in much the same way as the titular character. The second, 'Dante's Peak,' fared better at the box office, though it left critics divided.
The third picture was 'Tomorrow Never Dies,' Brosnan's second outing as 007. For his performance he received a Saturn Award for Best Actor.
Steve McQueen was always going to be a tough act to follow, but Pierce Brosnan pulled it off with aplomb in the remake of 'The Thomas Crown Affair.' Costarring Rene Russo, the film in part echoes the 1968 original but is given a sleek, stylish makeover.
The actor's final film of 1999 was 'The World Is Not Enough.' Brosnan's performance and that of co-star Sophie Marceau received praise from critics, who noted the emotional weight both lent to their respective characters.
Based on John le Carré's novel of the same name, 'The Tailor of Panama' was well received by audiences and critics alike. The picture costars Geoffrey Rush and Jamie Lee Curtis. Daniel Radcliffe, the future Harry Potter, made his film debut in this movie.
Brosnan's first film of 2002 was his last as 007. 'Die Another Day' was the highest-grossing James Bond film until the release of 'Casino Royale' in 2006. Brosnan later expressed surprise at being let go as Bond so soon after his debut, but nevertheless wished his successor, Daniel Craig, well in filling his shoes.
Post-Bond, Brosnan chose a project close to his heart—'Evelyn,' based on the true story of Desmond Doyle and his 1955 fight in the Irish courts to be reunited with his children. Brosnan's father had abandoned him as a child and after his mother left Ireland to take a job in London, the youngster was largely raised by his maternal grandparents. 'Evelyn' was coproduced by the actor's own production company, Irish DreamTime, and opened to positive reviews.
A career highpoint was achieved in 2005 with the release of 'The Matador.' Brosnan appeared opposite Greg Kinnear in this black comedy and was subsequently nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
Brosnan and Liam Neeson appeared together in 'Seraphim Falls,' a revisionist Western that required both actors to work in remote locations often under extreme conditions.
A far more conducive location was the small Greek island of Skopelos, the setting for much of 'Mamma Mia!.' Based on the songs of pop group ABBA, this romantic comedy brought Brosnan together with the likes of Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried, and Stellan Skarsgård.
Pierce Brosnan worked with director Roman Polanski on 'The Ghost Writer,' a neo-noir political thriller that stars Ewan McGregor as said writer, with support from Kim Cattrall and Olivia Williams. The movie was a critical and commercial success.
Brosnan once again put his rom-com credentials to good use in this Danish production, which costars Trine Dyrholm. The picture was selected as best comedy film at the 26th European Film Awards.
'The Foreigner' belongs to Jackie Chan, in the most dramatic role he's ever undertaken. He plays a businessman whose daughter is killed in a terrorist bomb blast. Brosnan's character is a former Provisional IRA leader who has since claimed to have renounced violence. But has he? Both Brosnan and Chan appear against type, and both are better for it.
In another change of direction, Brosnan chose to work in the horror genre when accepting a part in 'False Positive.' He plays a fertility doctor whose work doesn't necessarily revolve around creating life.
Pierce Brosnan dived into the realm of DC superheroes with his dual role as Kent Nelson/Doctor Fate. And he shares plenty of screen time with the titular character, played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Meanwhile, the actor had met and married Australian actress Cassandra Harris, on December 27, 1980. The union would last 11 years until her untimely death from ovarian cancer in 1991.
The actor's second marriage was to American journalist Keely Shaye Smith. They'd met in 1994 and tied the knot in 2001. The family share homes in California and Hawaii, and Irish residences in Dublin and County Meath.
In July 2003, Pierce Brosnan received an honorary OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). As an Irish citizen, he is ineligible to receive the full OBE honor, but is still allowed to use the letters "OBE" after his name.
Away from movie cameras, the actor keeps busy championing environmental and social causes. He has been an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland since 2001, and supports Greenpeace in its anti-nuclear stance. And both he and his wife work with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
Sources: (Britannica) (The Famous People) (UNICEF Ireland)
Pierce Brosnan was the fifth actor to play James Bond, making his debut as 007 in 'GoldenEye' (1995). But before Bond, the Irish actor had shaken and stirred American television audiences in the the popular romantic comedy drama series, Remington Steele.' Post-Bond, Brosnan has starred in several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, proving that there is life after giving up a license to kill.
In celebration of the man behind the agent, click through this appreciation of Pierce Brosnan's career to date.
He later joined a theater group and after rehearsing for a role in a play at the Ovalhouse in Lambeth, the young Brosnan pursued an acting career.
Pierce Brosnan: before Bond, and beyond
The Irish actor turns 71 this May 16
CELEBRITY Retrospective
Pierce Brosnan was the fifth actor to play James Bond, making his debut as 007 in 'GoldenEye' (1995). But before Bond, the Irish actor had shaken and stirred American television audiences in the the popular romantic comedy drama series, Remington Steele.' Post-Bond, Brosnan has starred in several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, proving that there is life after giving up a license to kill.
In celebration of the man behind the agent, click through this appreciation of Pierce Brosnan's career to date.