Bond Is 81?

I couldn’t believe it when I read it.

James Bond is an octogenarian.

Actually, the original James Bond – superspy of Ian Fleming’s novels – is much older. The first James Bond book, “Casino Royale,” was published in 1953, featuring what one might assume was someone already in his late 30s or early 40s.

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That book version of James Bond would be in his late 90s by now.

No, I’m talking about the movie version of James Bond, first brought to life on the screen by Scottish actor Sean Connery in the 1962 film “Dr. No.”

I was too young in ’62 to see “Dr. No” on the big screen. I suppose I saw it on TV sometime during the 1970s.

But when I did, I was knocked out by Connery’s performance and the whole James Bond package of girls, gadgets and vile villains.

Connery starred in seven Bond films and got the franchise off to a flying start, even (albeit with a stunt man) flying through the air with a jetpack in 1968’s “Thunderball.”

Connery eventually tired of the role and bowed out in 1971, although he was persuaded to make one more trip to the bank at age 53 in the 1983 Film “Never Say Never Again,” basically a cheap remake of “Thunderball.”

During those early Bond years, Connery slowly began to lose his hair and ended up wearing hairpieces in some of the last films.

But despite his vanity or the insistence of the movie producers to don a rug, Connery still remains etched in the minds of many Bond lovers as the best of all the actors to portray him on film.

His catlike grace, powerful physique and handsome features made him a hero to guys like me. When Connery left the Bond movie machine, he was replaced by Australian actor George Lazenby for one film, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” Lazenby had zero charisma and was soon booted back Down Under and replaced by Roger Moore, whose annoying English foppishness and the cartoonish writing of the era led Bond fans like me to steer clear of the Moore movies.

In short, Moore was less.

Moore was replaced by English actor Timothy Dalton, who turned in a couple of weak performances before washing out as Bond. But then came Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, whose charm and good looks restored the Bond franchise back to a level approaching — and occasionally even surpassing — the mark set by Connery.

Big budgets of the 1990s certainly helped.

When Brosnan showed signs of tiring of the role, the Bond franchise turned to English actor Daniel Craig in 2006 and a much grittier portrayal of 007.

Here’s how I rate them: Loved Connery, totally disappointed by Lazenby, put off by Moore, unimpressed by Dalton, loved Brosnan and am slowly starting to warm to Craig, though I miss the Bond quips and humor.

But it brings me back to Connery. When I saw he had recently turned 81, I couldn’t believe it. A photo showed him looking gray, wrinkled and tired – in other words, about 81.

It reminded me that real people – no matter how once beautiful and charismatic — age and eventually die.

But in movies, the dreams and heroes of our youth can live forever. And James Bond will always be young and strong.

Happy birthday, Sean!

And thanks for the memories.