One of Britain’s greatest spies of the Second World War, a secret agent who went by the code name White Rabbit, has been identified as the inspiration behind Ian Fleming’s James Bond.

What inspired James Bond?

Many have speculated that Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming, likely drew inspiration from more than one secret agent he learned of from his experience working with British naval intelligence. Potential real-life inspirations for Bond included World War II secret agent F.F.E. Yeo-Thomas and Serbian double agent Dusko Popov.

Is 007 based on a real person?

A wartime spy thought by his family to have inspired James Bond has been given a ” 007 ” gravestone after relatives found he had served under Bond author Ian Fleming. James Charles Bond, from Swansea, “took his secret past to his grave” when he died in 1995.

Is Christopher Lee really the inspiration for James Bond?

He was the real life James Bond Ian Fleming (coincidentally, Lee’s step-cousin), has admitted that Lee’s days as a spy are what inspired him to create the ultimate super-spy, James Bond.

Who was the original choice for James Bond?

Connery was not James Bond author Ian Fleming’s first choice for the role – that was Irish actor Richard Todd. Fleming wanted Todd for Dr No, the movie that introduced the iconic character to moviegoing audiences the world over.

Are double O agents real?

A 00 (typically read “Double O” and denoted in Fleming’s novels by the letters “OO” rather than the digits “00”) is a field agent that holds a licence to kill in the field, at their discretion, to complete any mission.

What does James Bond represent?

Creation and inspiration. Ian Fleming created the fictional character of James Bond as the central figure for his works. Bond is an intelligence officer in the Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6. Bond is known by his code number, 007, and was a Royal Naval Reserve Commander.

What does the M stand for in James Bond?

In the final novel of the series, The Man with the Golden Gun, M’s full identity is revealed as Vice Admiral Sir Miles Messervy KCMG; Messervy had been appointed to head of MI6 after his predecessor had been assassinated at his desk.

How did Ian Fleming choose the name James Bond?

Fleming took the name for his character from that of the American ornithologist James Bond, a Caribbean bird expert and author of the definitive field guide Birds of the West Indies; Fleming, a keen birdwatcher himself, had a copy of Bond’s guide and he later explained to the ornithologist’s wife that “It struck me

Did Ian Fleming know Christopher Lee?

Christopher Lee was the step-cousin of Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond. When Lee’s mother remarried following his parents’ divorce, it was to a man with the remarkably English name of Harcourt George St-Croix Rose. This man was the uncle of Ian Fleming, so Lee and Fleming became step-cousins.

How is Christopher Lee related to Ian Fleming?

Christopher Lee was knighted in 2009. Lee was also a step cousin to Bond creator Ian Fleming, his friend and regular golfing partner. He even starred with pre-007 star Pierce Brosnan in the 1993 espionage film Detonator (A.K.A. Death Train).

How is Christopher Lee related to Charlemagne?

Christopher Lee is a direct descendent of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor. Lee’s family bears 80-90% of his coat of arms, and his series of concept records are partially meant to clear Charlemagne’s name, who is generally referred to as the brutal conquerer of the Saxons in Northwest Germany back in the

Why did Sean Connery stop playing James Bond?

Connery quit the franchise for a myriad of expressed reasons, including getting “really fed up with the space stuff and special effects. I just found it getting more and more influential in the movies,” Connery told the BBC in 2005.

Who was the first actor to portray James Bond?

Sean Connery (1962-1967, 1971 and 1983) The first actor to play Bond in a film with Dr No in 1962, Sean Connery remains the favourite of many fans despite his casting initially being opposed by Ian Fleming, who created the character.

Who was the youngest actor to play James Bond?

Trivia (196) As of 2021, George Lazenby is the youngest actor to portray 007, at age twenty-nine during filming.