Early Life and Education of Pierce Brosnan: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Pierce Brosnan. From birth to education, explore key events.

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1950: Across the River and into the Trees

In 1950, Ernest Hemingway wrote the novel "Across the River and into the Trees", which Pierce Brosnan was later slated to star in a film adaptation of. However, due to financial issues and delays, Brosnan dropped out of the project.

Across the River and Into the Trees

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May 1953: Pierce Brosnan's Birth

In May 1953, Pierce Brendan Brosnan was born. He later became the fifth actor to portray James Bond in the film series.

1962: Awareness of Nuclear Arms Race

In 1962, at the age of nine, Pierce Brosnan became aware of the nuclear arms race due to worldwide condemnation of U.S. nuclear testing in Nevada.

August 1964: Move to Scotland

On August 12, 1964, Brosnan left Ireland and moved to Scotland to reunite with his mother and her new husband.

1971: Charlotte Harris' Birth

In 1971, Charlotte Harris was born, daughter of Cassandra Harris, later adopted by Pierce Brosnan.

December 1980: Marriage to Cassandra Harris

In December 1980, Pierce Brosnan married Australian actress Cassandra Harris, whom he had met shortly after leaving drama school, beginning a 17-year relationship.

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.

September 1983: Birth of son Sean

On September 13, 1983, Pierce Brosnan and Cassandra Harris had a son named Sean, who would later become an actor.

1986: Adoption of Charlotte and Chris Harris

In 1986, Pierce Brosnan adopted Cassandra Harris' children from her previous marriage, Charlotte and Chris, after their father Dermot Harris died; they subsequently took Brosnan's surname.

1987: Cassandra Harris' diagnosis

In 1987, while filming The Deceivers in Rajasthan, Cassandra Harris became seriously ill. She was later diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

December 1991: Death of Cassandra Harris

Cassandra Harris, Pierce Brosnan's wife, died on December 28, 1991, after battling ovarian cancer. Brosnan struggled to cope with her death.

1994: Meeting Keely Shaye Smith

In 1994, Pierce Brosnan met American journalist Keely Shaye Smith in Mexico.

1997: The Moon and the Sun

In 1997, Vonda N. McIntyre wrote the novel "The Moon and the Sun", which Pierce Brosnan later starred in a film adaptation of in 2023 named "The King's Daughter" as King Louis XIV.

Moon and the Sun

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1999: Navan as Hometown

In 1999, Brosnan mentioned that he considers Navan, County Meath, where he lived for 12 years, to be his hometown.

2001: Marriage to Keely Shaye Smith

In 2001, Pierce Brosnan married Keely Shaye Smith at Ballintubber Abbey in Ireland.

2002: Brosnan purchases an Aston Martin

In 2002, Pierce Brosnan owned an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. This was later destroyed in a house fire in February 2015.

2002: Honorary Degree from Dublin Institute of Technology

In 2002, Pierce Brosnan was awarded an honorary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology.

September 2004: Becomes an American Citizen

On September 23, 2004, Pierce Brosnan became an American citizen while retaining his Irish citizenship.

2004: Supported John Kerry

In 2004, Pierce Brosnan supported John Kerry in the presidential election and is a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage.

June 2013: Death of Charlotte Brosnan

On June 28, 2013, Charlotte Brosnan, Pierce Brosnan's adopted daughter, died of ovarian cancer.

February 2015: Malibu Home Fire

On February 11, 2015, Pierce Brosnan's $18 million Malibu home caught fire, causing $1 million in damages. The contents of the garage, including his 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, were destroyed.

August 2017: H-Block filming delayed

In August 2017, filming for "H-Block", a film based on The Maze Prison Escape starring Pierce Brosnan, Jamie Dornan, and Cillian Murphy, was initially set to begin but was postponed due to scheduling conflicts.

March 2018: H-Block Filming Further Postponed

In March 2018, filming for "H-Block" was further postponed, after initial plans to begin in August 2017 were derailed due to scheduling conflicts with cast members.

October 2020: The Wreck of The Medusa Setbacks

In October 2020, director Peter Webber claimed that the lack of interest in "films about artists" in the market earned the project "The Wreck of The Medusa" several setbacks, and as such still remains in development.