Every James Bond Actor's Greatest Quote, Ranked (#1 Isn't Said By Sean Connery Or Daniel Craig)

Published Sep 5, 2026, 10:10 AM EDT Anthony is a news reporter and a guide writer who has covered the entertainment industry for five years. He has covered a wide range of genres, including aviation incidents and international crime, and has a keen eye for details that may slip under the radar. When he's not writing, Anthony can be found at Brands Hatch race track or at home watching indie horror movies nobody has heard of. Few movie characters can boast such a prestigious, longstanding legacy quite like James Bond. Audiences were introduced to 007 in 1962 with Dr. No. Since then, the franchise has remained strong, with 25 movies, and 27 if you include the two unofficial films, Never Say Never Again in 1983, and Casino Royale in 1967. As Bond is such a classic movie staple, his movies have multigenerational appeal. Part of what makes James Bond films so popular is that they all follow a somewhat predictable formula. Fans know what to expect from the franchise, and that iconic formula is one of 007's greatest strengths. However, one part of the franchise that does change is the actor portraying the famous MI6 spy. It's to be expected of a series that's run for multiple decades, and each actor has permanently imprinted on Bond's legacy in their own ways. One of the greatest aspects of James Bond is that there's no 'best' version of the character. For many, their favorite will always be the Bond they grew up with, further cementing 007 as a character any generation can enjoy. While each actor provides their own spin on 007, one constant with the character is a sharp tongue. Bond is known for his savage one-liners and deep-cutting quips, and the character wouldn't be the same without them. With this in mind, we're showcasing some of the greatest lines by each actor who has played James Bond in this list. Many of these quotes are up for debate, as each actor has spouted numerous unforgettable lines, but these are arguably among the best. 6 Sir Sean Connery - "That's A Smith & Wesson, And You've Had Your Six" Dr. No is the very first official James Bond movie. It was released in 1962, and stars Sir Sean Connery as the famous British spy. 007's maiden adventure doesn't pull any punches, and it's easy to see how a generation immediately fell in love with the character. We know Bond is a capable agent, and we see him at his best as Professor Dent (Anthony Dawson) attempts to kill him in his sleep. 007 is calmly playing Patience as Dent sneaks into his room and fires six shots into a bed they presume Bond is sleeping in. In fact, Bond is sitting behind the door with his weapon ready. The assassin throws his gun on the ground at 007's instruction, but subtly brings it closer as they talk. It looks like our hero is thwarted, but Bond knew what was happening all along, as the assassin shoots, but has no bullets left. Bond coldly responds, "That's a Smith & Wesson, and you've had your six," before dispatching him with a single shot. It's a brilliant scene, and shows the audience 007's weapons expertise. 5 Pierce Brosnan - "Beg Your Pardon, Forgot To Knock" Many 90s kids have a special place in their hearts for Pierce Brosnan's 007. 1995's GoldenEye wasn't just a fun James Bond movie; it was also a genre-defining video game on the Nintendo 64. Brosnan's Bond is as cheeky as he is dangerous, and we see that firsthand during the opening scene of GoldenEye. Bond infiltrates a Russian chemical weapons facility inside a dam. He presumably enters the toilets through a ceiling vent, directly above a guard using the facilities. 007 silently hangs upside down. The guard lowers his paper, and Bond states, "Beg your pardon, forgot to knock," before knocking the guard unconscious with a single punch. This one scene tells us so much about Brosnan's Bond, and it's the first thing he says in the movie. He soon meets with 006 (Sean Bean), who tells him, "You're late, 007." Bond addresses the toilet scene one last time, saying, "I had to stop in the bathroom," with no explanation needed. 4 George Lazenby - "He Had Lots Of Guts" George Lazenby stands out among other James Bond actors because he starred in only one movie. On Her Majesty's Secret Service premiered in 1969. Sir Sean Connery reprised the role of 007 in the next movie, Diamonds are Forever, in 1971. Lazenby still had several quotable one-liners, and one of the most memorable happens during a tense ski chase. Bond is skiing down a mountainside alongside Tracy (Diana Rigg), pursued by Blofeld's henchmen. Our heroes ski close to a snowblower, and one of the henchmen is pulled into the machine. It's a surprisingly grisly scene, as we see the snow spray turn from white to blood-red. The camera pans to Bond, where he jovially exclaims to Tracy, "He had lots of guts!" The chase quickly becomes more perilous as the duo race into an avalanche zone, but the line is so wild because of Lazenby's delivery. 3 Roger Moore - "You Get Your Clothes On, And I'll Buy You An Ice Cream" Sir Roger Moore starred in seven James Bond movies, and while there are plenty of unforgettable one-liners to choose from, we're going with one from 1981's For Your Eyes Only. During the movie, Bond meets Bibi (Lynn-Holly Johnson), a skilled ice-skater. She's attracted to 007 from the moment they meet. The issue is that Bibi is clearly much younger than him. Their age difference doesn't stop Bibi from attempting to seduce Bond, even going as far as to undress in a bed as he stands by looking bewildered. Bibi exclaims that her uncle still thinks she's a virgin. Bond hilariously replies, "Yes, well, you get your clothes on, and I'll buy you an ice cream." The scene is unforgettable because it's one of the rare times audiences see Bond flustered by anything, regardless of the actor. It's a funny line, and Moore's stunned facial expression makes the whole scene so much better. 2 Daniel Craig - "I'm Sorry. That Last Hand, Nearly Killed Me" Image via MovieStillsDB Daniel Craig's first outing as Bond is widely regarded as the actor's best in Casino Royale. The stakes are high at an intense poker table, and 007 is sitting opposite the movie's antagonist, Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). Bond is poisoned on Le Chiffre's instructions, and our hero struggles to his Aston Martin to call for help. Bond is in such a bad way that his heart stops. Vesper (Eva Green) revives him, and he returns to the table to the shock of his opponent. 007 looks Le Chiffre in the eyes and calmly says, "I'm sorry. That last hand, nearly killed me." It's a cold and funny line that had theater audiences laughing in 2006. Some poker players are quick to point out the absurdity of the game in Casino Royale, but this quip after going into cardiac arrest is easily one of the highlights of Craig's Bond movies. 1 Timothy Dalton - "More Of A Problem Eliminator" Timothy Dalton starred in two Bond movies: The Living Daylights in 1987, and License to Kill in 1989. Both titles have merit, though one of his best lines is from License to Kill when he meets Franz Sanchez (Robert Davis). Sanchez refuses to shake Bond's hand as the pair talk, trying to figure out each other's agenda. 007 is disarmed before talking to Sanchez, and he questions Bond about his weapon. Bond explains, "In my business, you prepare for the unexpected." When Sanchez asks about Bond's line of work, he says, "I help people with problems." Sanchez replies, "A problem solver," and Bond elaborates, "More of a problem eliminator." The line is on-the-nose, but it's such a bold response, prompting them both to laugh. Sanchez is a great Bond villain, and we learn so much about him from this exchange. James Bond offers his services in a way that feels on-brand for the character, and the encounter is a highlight of the movie.