Career Timeline of Pierce Brosnan: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Pierce Brosnan built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Pierce Brosnan is an Irish actor and film producer best known for portraying James Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002. He was the fifth actor to take on the iconic role of the fictional secret agent in the James Bond film series and also appeared in related video games like GoldenEye 007. Brosnan's portrayal of Bond brought a suave and modern edge to the character, contributing significantly to the franchise's continued success in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
1975: Acting Debut
In 1975, Brosnan graduated from the Drama Centre and began working as an acting assistant stage manager at the York Theatre Royal, making his acting debut in Wait Until Dark.
1977: Appearance in Filumena
In 1977, Brosnan was chosen by Franco Zeffirelli to star in the play Filumena.
1980: Early Film Appearances
In 1980, Brosnan made brief appearances in films such as The Long Good Friday and The Mirror Crack'd.
1981: Cassandra Harris in "For Your Eyes Only"
In 1981, Cassandra Harris appeared in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. Following this, Brosnan and Harris secured a bank loan and moved to Southern California, where Brosnan was cast in Remington Steele.
1982: Move to Southern California
In 1982, Brosnan moved to Southern California and gained popularity in the United States playing the lead role in Remington Steele.
1982: Manions of America and Nancy Astor Miniseries
In 1982, Brosnan starred in the miniseries Manions of America and followed this with the BBC's Nancy Astor.
1982: Remington Steele TV Series
In 1982, Pierce Brosnan rose to popularity in the television series Remington Steele.
1986: Remington Steele Renewal
In 1986, the cancellation of Remington Steele was reversed due to improved ratings after Brosnan was offered the role of James Bond, contractually requiring him to return to the show.
1987: The Fourth Protocol Release
In 1987, Brosnan appeared in the Cold War spy film The Fourth Protocol after the conclusion of Remington Steele series.
1987: Dalton Hired as Bond
In 1987, due to Brosnan's contractual obligations with Remington Steele, Eon Productions hired Timothy Dalton for The Living Daylights.
1988: Appearances in The Deceivers and Noble House
In 1988, Brosnan appeared in The Deceivers and the mini-series James Clavell's Noble House.
1989: Dalton stars in Licence to Kill
In 1989, Timothy Dalton starred in Licence to Kill.
1991: Victim of Love TV Film
In 1991, Brosnan appeared in several television films, including Victim of Love.
1992: Running Wilde Pilot and The Lawnmower Man
In 1992, Brosnan shot a pilot for NBC called Running Wilde and appeared in The Lawnmower Man.
July 1993: Denial of The Saint Role Rumors
In July 1993, Brosnan denied rumors that he would inherit the role of Simon Templar in The Saint, though he acknowledged the project was still being considered in Hollywood.
1993: Mrs. Doubtfire Film Role
In 1993, Brosnan appeared in the comedy film Mrs. Doubtfire.
June 1994: Brosnan Announced as James Bond
On June 7, 1994, Brosnan was officially announced as the fifth actor to play James Bond.
1995: Night Watch TV film
In 1995, Brosnan appeared in television films including Night Watch, a spy thriller set in Hong Kong.
1995: GoldenEye Release and Success
In 1995, Brosnan's first Bond film, GoldenEye, was released, grossing $350 million worldwide and becoming the most successful Bond film since Moonraker, adjusted for inflation.
1995: Brosnan debuts as James Bond in GoldenEye
In 1995, Pierce Brosnan made his debut as James Bond in the film GoldenEye, marking the beginning of his tenure in the James Bond film series.
1995: Securing James Bond Role
In 1995, four years after Cassandra Harris' death, Pierce Brosnan secured the role of James Bond, fulfilling her long-held wish.
1996: Irish DreamTime Founded
In 1996, Brosnan and Beau St. Clair founded the Los Angeles–based production company Irish DreamTime.
1997: Worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council
From 1997 to 2000, Pierce Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye Smith worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to stop a proposed salt factory from being built at Laguna San Ignacio.
1997: Tomorrow Never Dies Release
In 1997, Brosnan returned as Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies, which received mixed reviews but was successful at the box office.
1997: Dante's Peak Lead Role
In 1997, after achieving worldwide fame as James Bond, Brosnan took the lead in the epic disaster adventure film Dante's Peak.
1998: The Nephew Release
In 1998, Irish DreamTime's first production, The Nephew, was released.
1999: The World Is Not Enough Release
In 1999, Brosnan returned as Bond in The World Is Not Enough, which received mixed reviews but was successful at the box office.
1999: The Thomas Crown Affair Remake
In 1999, Brosnan took the lead in the remake of the heist film The Thomas Crown Affair.
2000: Worked with the International Fund for Animal Welfare
From 1997 to 2000, Pierce Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye Smith worked with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to stop a proposed salt factory from being built at Laguna San Ignacio.
2001: Starred in The Tailor of Panama
In 2001, Brosnan starred along with Jamie Lee Curtis and Geoffrey Rush in The Tailor of Panama.
2001: UNICEF Ireland Ambassador
In 2001, Pierce Brosnan became an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland.
2002: Die Another Day Release
In 2002, Brosnan returned as Bond in Die Another Day, which received mixed reviews but was successful at the box office. Brosnan subsequently criticized many aspects of his fourth Bond movie.
2002: Bond Video Game Likeness
In 2002, Brosnan's likeness was used as the face of Bond in the James Bond video game 007: Nightfire.
2002: Brosnan's final James Bond film
In 2002, Pierce Brosnan starred in his fourth and final James Bond film, Die Another Day.
October 2004: Considered Dismissed from Bond Role
In October 2004, Brosnan stated he considered himself dismissed from the role of James Bond.
2004: Starred in Bond Game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
In 2004, Brosnan starred in the Bond game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, providing both his likeness and voice.
2004: Film About Caitlin Macnamara; Laws of Attraction; After the Sunset
In 2004, Pierce Brosnan backed a film about Caitlin Macnamara and starred in "Laws of Attraction" as Daniel Rafferty, a performance praised for riffing off his James Bond persona. He also starred in "After the Sunset" alongside Salma Hayek and Woody Harrelson, which received negative reviews and was a box office flop.
2004: Supported John Kerry
In 2004, Pierce Brosnan supported John Kerry in the presidential election and is a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage.
February 2005: Finished with Bond Role
In February 2005, Brosnan posted on his website that he was finished with the James Bond role.
October 2005: Daniel Craig Takes Over Bond Role
On October 14, 2005, Daniel Craig officially took over the role of James Bond. Brosnan expressed support for Craig.
2005: The Matador
In 2005, Pierce Brosnan starred in "The Matador" as Julian Noble, receiving positive reviews and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. Roger Ebert called it the best performance of Brosnan's career. However, he lost the Golden Globe to Joaquin Phoenix.
2006: The Official Film of the 2006 FIFA World Cup
In 2006, Pierce Brosnan narrated "The Official Film of the 2006 FIFA World Cup", directed by Michael Apted.
2006: Lee National Denim Day Spokesperson
In 2006, Pierce Brosnan served as spokesperson for Lee National Denim Day, a breast cancer fundraiser.
January 2007: Seraphim Falls released
In January 2007, Pierce Brosnan appeared in the film "Seraphim Falls" alongside Liam Neeson. The film had a limited release and received average reviews. Critics noted Brosnan and Neeson were fine adversaries but the dialogue lacked vitality.
May 2007: Veto of Cabrillo Port Liquefied Natural Gas facility
In May 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the Cabrillo Port Liquefied Natural Gas facility, which Pierce Brosnan had been fighting against with Halle Berry, Cindy Crawford, and Daryl Hannah.
May 2007: Donation to Replace Playground
In May 2007, Pierce Brosnan and his wife, Smith, donated $100,000 to help replace a playground on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, where they own a house.
July 2007: Live Earth Presentation
On 7 July 2007, Pierce Brosnan presented a film at Live Earth in London and recorded a television advertisement for the cause.
2008: Mamma Mia! Film Role
In 2008, Brosnan starred in the comedy musical Mamma Mia!.
2008: Mamma Mia! and The Great Discovery
In 2008, Pierce Brosnan starred in the film adaptation of the ABBA musical "Mamma Mia!" as Sam Carmichael, with Meryl Streep as the mother of Sophie. In the same year, Brosnan was a guest star narrator for "Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery".
2010: The Ghost Writer and Percy Jackson Roles
In 2010, Brosnan starred in films such as the political thriller The Ghost Writer and the action fantasy Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.
2010: The Ghost Writer, Remember Me, and Percy Jackson
In 2010, Pierce Brosnan starred in Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer" as a disgraced British Prime Minister, which won a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. He also starred in "Remember Me" as Charles Hawkins and as Chiron in "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief."
2012: Love Is All You Need
In 2012, Pierce Brosnan played the role of Philip in the Danish romantic comedy "Love Is All You Need".
2013: Sky Broadband Commercials
In 2013, Pierce Brosnan appeared in television commercials promoting the launch of Sky Broadband in Ireland.
2013: Honorary Patronage and No Escape
In 2013, Pierce Brosnan was awarded honorary patronage of Dublin University Players at Trinity College Dublin. Also in 2013, he starred opposite Owen Wilson in "No Escape".
2014: The November Man Star Role
In 2014, Brosnan starred in the action spy thriller The November Man.
2015: Survivor
In 2015, Pierce Brosnan appeared alongside Milla Jovovich in "Survivor", a suspense thriller movie.
2016: I.T.
In 2016, Pierce Brosnan starred in a revenge thriller called "I.T.", which opened in limited release through video on demand.
2017: The Foreigner and The Son
In 2017, Pierce Brosnan starred in "The Foreigner" opposite Jackie Chan, playing a former IRA man. He also replaced Sam Neill in "The Son", a television adaptation of Philipp Meyer's novel.
2018: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Sequel
In 2018, Brosnan starred in the sequel to Mamma Mia!, titled Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
2018: Spinning Man, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Final Score
In 2018, Pierce Brosnan co-starred in the mystery thriller "Spinning Man", reprised his role in "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again", and had a supporting role in "Final Score".
2019: The Son concluded
In 2019, the show "The Son", in which Brosnan played the role of Eli McCullough, aired for the second and final season.
2020: Eurovision Song Contest Film Role
In 2020, Brosnan starred in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
2021: The Misfits and False Positive
In 2021, Pierce Brosnan executive produced and starred in "The Misfits", which was poorly received. He also appeared in "False Positive", which was a moderate success.
2021: Big Noise NFT Collection Launch
In 2021, Pierce Brosnan launched his first-ever NFT collection of digital artworks entitled "Big Noise" inspired by his painting Earplugs, which he painted while filming the James Bond film GoldenEye.
2022: Black Adam Role
In 2022, Brosnan played Kent Nelson / Doctor Fate in the DC Extended Universe film Black Adam.
2023: Fast Charlie
In 2023, Pierce Brosnan led the hitman thriller film "Fast Charlie" directed by Phillip Noyce.
2023: The Out-Laws and Fast Charlie
In 2023, Pierce Brosnan starred in Netflix's action-comedy film "The Out-Laws" and in the hitman thriller film "Fast Charlie" directed by Phillip Noyce.
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