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. Brosnan also appeared in several James Bond video games, including GoldenEye 007. His portrayal of Bond solidified his status as a major Hollywood star.
1975: Graduation from Drama Centre and Acting Debut
In 1975, Pierce Brosnan graduated from the Drama Centre and began his acting career as an assistant stage manager at the York Theatre Royal.
1977: Role in Filumena
In 1977, Pierce Brosnan was chosen by Franco Zeffirelli to appear in the play Filumena.
1980: Brief Film Appearances
In 1980, Pierce Brosnan made brief appearances in films such as The Long Good Friday and The Mirror Crack'd.
1981: Cassandra Harris appears in "For Your Eyes Only"
In 1981, Cassandra Harris appeared in the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only", after which she and Brosnan secured a bank loan and moved to Southern California.
1982: Starring in Nancy Astor
In 1982, Brosnan starred in the BBC's nine-part miniseries Nancy Astor, which dramatized the life of Lady Astor.
1982: Move to Southern California and Remington Steele role
In 1982, Pierce Brosnan moved to Southern California and rose to popularity in the United States playing the title role in the NBC series Remington Steele.
1982: Remington Steele Debut
In 1982, Pierce Brosnan rose to popularity in the television series Remington Steele, marking a significant point in his early career.
1986: Remington Steele Renewal
In 1986, NBC cancelled Remington Steele but renewed it after Brosnan was offered the role of James Bond, causing him to return to the show due to contractual obligations.
1987: Appearance in The Fourth Protocol
After Remington Steele ended in 1987, Brosnan went on to appear in The Fourth Protocol, a Cold War thriller.
1987: Dalton hired as Bond
In 1987, Timothy Dalton was hired for The Living Daylights after Brosnan had to return to Remington Steele.
1988: Appearance in The Deceivers and James Clavell's Noble House
In 1988, Pierce Brosnan appeared in The Deceivers and the mini-series James Clavell's Noble House.
1989: Timothy Dalton stars in Licence to Kill
In 1989, Timothy Dalton starred in Licence to Kill.
1991: Appearance in Victim of Love
In 1991, Pierce Brosnan appeared in the television film Victim of Love.
1992: Appearance in The Lawnmower Man and pilot for Running Wilde
In 1992, Pierce Brosnan appeared in The Lawnmower Man and shot a pilot for NBC called Running Wilde, which never aired.
July 1993: Denial of The Saint Rumors
In July 1993, Pierce Brosnan denied rumors that he was going to inherit the role of Simon Templar in The Saint.
1993: Role in Mrs. Doubtfire
In 1993, Brosnan appeared in the comedy film Mrs. Doubtfire, expanding his roles beyond action and drama.
1993: Supporting role in Mrs. Doubtfire and Death Train
In 1993, Pierce Brosnan played a supporting role in the comedy film Mrs. Doubtfire and appeared in the television film Death Train.
June 1994: Brosnan Announced as James Bond
On June 7, 1994, Pierce Brosnan was announced as the fifth actor to play James Bond.
1995: Appearance in Night Watch
In 1995, Brosnan appeared in Night Watch, a spy thriller set in Hong Kong.
1995: Release of GoldenEye
In 1995, GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan's first James Bond film, was released and grossed US$350 million worldwide, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year.
1995: Brosnan's debut as James Bond in GoldenEye
In 1995, Pierce Brosnan debuted as James Bond in the film GoldenEye, marking the beginning of his tenure in the James Bond film series.
1995: Brosnan secures James Bond role
In 1995, four years after Cassandra Harris's death, Pierce Brosnan secured the role of James Bond, fulfilling her wish.
1996: Founding of Irish DreamTime
In 1996, Pierce Brosnan and Beau St. Clair founded Irish DreamTime, a Los Angeles-based production company.
1997: Worked with NRDC and IFAW to stop salt factory construction
From 1997, Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Shaye Smith worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council and International Fund for Animal Welfare to stop a proposed salt factory from being built at Laguna San Ignacio.
1997: Lead role in Dante's Peak
In 1997, Brosnan took the lead in the epic disaster adventure film Dante's Peak, following his worldwide fame as James Bond.
1997: Brosnan stars in Tomorrow Never Dies
In 1997, Pierce Brosnan returned as James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies.
1998: Release of The Nephew
In 1998, Irish DreamTime's first production, The Nephew, was released.
1999: Brosnan stars in The World Is Not Enough
In 1999, Brosnan returned as Bond in The World Is Not Enough.
1999: Starring in The Thomas Crown Affair Remake
In 1999, Pierce Brosnan starred in the remake of the heist film The Thomas Crown Affair, marking another major role after becoming famous as James Bond.
2000: Worked with NRDC and IFAW to stop salt factory construction
Until 2000, Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Shaye Smith worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council and International Fund for Animal Welfare to stop a proposed salt factory from being built at Laguna San Ignacio.
2001: Becoming an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland
In 2001, Pierce Brosnan became an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland, following in the footsteps of Roger Moore.
2001: Appearance in The Tailor of Panama
In 2001, Pierce Brosnan starred along with Jamie Lee Curtis and Geoffrey Rush in The Tailor of Panama.
2002: Brosnan stars in Die Another Day
In 2002, Pierce Brosnan starred in Die Another Day, his fourth and final film as James Bond in the James Bond film series.
2002: Likeness Used in 007: Nightfire
In 2002, Pierce Brosnan's likeness was used as the face of Bond in the James Bond video game 007: Nightfire.
July 2003: Honorary OBE Awarded
In July 2003, Queen Elizabeth II made Pierce Brosnan an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his outstanding contribution to the British film industry.
October 2004: Dismissal from James Bond Role
In October 2004, Pierce Brosnan stated that he considered himself dismissed from the role of James Bond.
2004: Starring in James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
In 2004, Brosnan starred in the Bond game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, providing his likeness and voice-work for the character.
2004: Film roles in 'Laws of Attraction' and 'After the Sunset'
In 2004, Pierce Brosnan backed a film about Caitlin Macnamara. He starred in 'Laws of Attraction' as Daniel Rafferty, and also appeared in 'After the Sunset' alongside Salma Hayek and Woody Harrelson. 'After the Sunset' received negative reviews and was a box office failure.
2004: Supporting John Kerry in the presidential election
In 2004, Pierce Brosnan supported John Kerry in the presidential election and is a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage.
February 2005: Brosnan Announces End of Bond Tenure
In February 2005, Pierce Brosnan posted on his website that he was finished with the role of James Bond.
October 2005: Daniel Craig Takes Over as Bond
On October 14, 2005, Daniel Craig took over the role of James Bond.
2005: Starring in 'The Matador'
In 2005, Pierce Brosnan starred in 'The Matador' as Julian Noble. The film received positive reviews, with Brosnan's performance being called the best of his career by Roger Ebert. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
2006: Narrating FIFA World Cup film and cancer awareness advocacy
In 2006, Pierce Brosnan narrated 'The Official Film of the 2006 FIFA World Cup'. He also served as a spokesperson for Lee National Denim Day, a breast cancer fundraiser, raising money for the cause.
2006: Spokesperson for Lee National Denim Day
In 2006, Pierce Brosnan served as spokesperson for Lee National Denim Day, a breast cancer fundraiser.
January 2007: Appearance in 'Seraphim Falls' release
In January 2007, Pierce Brosnan appeared in the film 'Seraphim Falls' alongside Liam Neeson. The film was released on January 26, 2007, and received average reviews.
May 2007: Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed Cabrillo Port LNG facility
In May 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the Cabrillo Port Liquefied Natural Gas facility, which Pierce Brosnan and others had fought against.
May 2007: Donation to replace playground on Kauai
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: Presentation at Live Earth in London
On July 7, 2007, Pierce Brosnan presented a film at Live Earth in London and recorded a television advertisement for the cause.
2008: Appearing in Mamma Mia! and narrating Thomas & Friends
In 2008, Pierce Brosnan starred in the comedy musical Mamma Mia! and was a guest star narrator for the Thomas & Friends movie The Great Discovery.
2008: Role in 'Mamma Mia!' and Thomas & Friends narration
In 2008, Pierce Brosnan starred in the film adaptation of the ABBA musical 'Mamma Mia!' as Sam Carmichael, alongside Meryl Streep. He also provided narration for 'The Great Discovery', a Thomas & Friends movie.
2010: Roles in 'The Ghost Writer', 'Remember Me', and 'Percy Jackson'
In 2010, Pierce Brosnan starred in 'The Ghost Writer', 'Remember Me', and 'Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief'.
2010: Starring in The Ghost Writer and Percy Jackson
In 2010, Pierce Brosnan starred in The Ghost Writer, a political thriller, and Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, an action fantasy film.
2012: Role in '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 as a tongue-in-cheek version of himself to promote the launch of Sky Broadband in Ireland.
2013: Honorary patronage and role in 'No Escape'
In 2013, Pierce Brosnan was awarded honorary patronage of Dublin University Players at Trinity College Dublin. He also starred in 'No Escape' opposite Owen Wilson.
2014: Starring in 'The November Man'
In 2014, Pierce Brosnan starred in 'The November Man', an adaptation of Bill Granger's action novel, 'There Are No Spies'.
2015: Appearance in 'Survivor'
In 2015, Pierce Brosnan appeared alongside Milla Jovovich in the suspense thriller 'Survivor'.
2016: Starring in 'I.T.'
In 2016, Pierce Brosnan starred in a revenge thriller called 'I.T.', which opened in limited release through video on demand.
August 2017: Initial filming date for 'H-Block'
Originally, filming for 'H-Block', a film starring Pierce Brosnan, Jamie Dornan and Cillian Murphy, was scheduled to begin in August 2017 but was postponed due to scheduling conflicts.
2017: Replacing Sam Neill in 'The Son' and starring in 'The Foreigner'
In 2017, Pierce Brosnan replaced Sam Neill in 'The Son' and starred in 'The Foreigner' opposite Jackie Chan. He played Liam Hennessy, a former IRA man turned government official. 'The Foreigner' was filmed in London.
March 2018: Postponed filming date for 'H-Block'
In March 2018, 'H-Block', the film starring Pierce Brosnan, Jamie Dornan, and Cillian Murphy, was scheduled to start filming after the initial August 2017 date was postponed. However, filming is yet to commence.
2018: Roles in 'Spinning Man', 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again', and 'Final Score'
In 2018, Pierce Brosnan co-starred in 'Spinning Man', reprised his role in 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again', and had a supporting role in 'Final Score'.
2018: Starring in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
In 2018, Pierce Brosnan starred in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the sequel to the popular musical film.
2019: End of 'The Son' series
In 2019, Pierce Brosnan's television series, 'The Son', which he joined in 2017, aired its second and final season.
October 2020: Update on 'The Wreck of The Medusa' development
In October 2020, Peter Webber mentioned that 'The Wreck of The Medusa' project still remains in development due to lack of interest in "films about artists". The film stars Pierce Brosnan, Jesse Eisenberg and Vanessa Redgrave.
2020: Acting in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
In 2020, Pierce Brosnan appeared in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
2021: Starring in 'The Misfits' and 'False Positive'
In 2021, Pierce Brosnan executive produced and starred in 'The Misfits' and appeared in 'False Positive'.
2021: Launch of "Big Noise" NFT collection
In 2021, Pierce Brosnan launched his first-ever NFT collection of digital artworks entitled "Big Noise". This NFT collection was inspired by his painting Earplugs, painted during the filming of the James Bond movie GoldenEye.
2022: Role in Black Adam
In 2022, Brosnan played Kent Nelson / Doctor Fate in the DC Extended Universe film Black Adam.
2022: Role as Doctor Fate in 'Black Adam'
In 2022, Pierce Brosnan played Doctor Fate/Kent Nelson in the DC Extended Universe film, 'Black Adam'.
2023: Roles in 'The Out-Laws' and 'The King's Daughter'
In 2023, Pierce Brosnan joined Adam Devine in the Netflix action-comedy film 'The Out-Laws'. Also in 2023, Brosnan starred as King Louis XIV in the family adventure film 'The King's Daughter'.
2023: Leading role in 'Fast Charlie'
In 2023, Pierce Brosnan led the hitman thriller film 'Fast Charlie' directed by Phillip Noyce.
2025: Role in 'The Thursday Murder Club' movie adaptation
In 2025, Pierce Brosnan is set to play Ron in the movie adaptation of the book 'The Thursday Murder Club'.
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