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Last updated on the 12 June 2024 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: 16 May 1953, Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland.
Pierce Brosnan lived a childhood marked by change. His father left the family soon after his birth and his mother emigrated to England for work when he was four. Raised by his grandparents in Ireland, Brosnan developed a deep connection to his homeland. This bicultural upbringing would later lend authenticity to his portrayal of characters from both backgrounds.
At 15, Brosnan’s artistic spirit blossomed. He ventured to London, enrolling in drama classes at The Drama Centre London, where he diligently studied the art of acting. It was during this period that fate intervened. He met Cassandra Harris, an actress who would become his first wife. Together, they relocated to the United States, opening doors to new opportunities.
Brosnan’s television debut arrived in the early 1980s with a recurring role in the detective series “Remington Steele.” His charm and charisma captivated audiences, particularly in the American market. This success paved the way for his most iconic role – James Bond.
Originally considered for the role in the 1980s, Brosnan’s contractual obligations prevented him from taking on the mantle of 007. However, destiny had other plans. In 1995, he finally stepped into the tuxedo of the suave secret agent in “GoldenEye.” Brosnan’s portrayal was a perfect blend of sophistication, humour and action, reigniting public interest in the franchise. He went on to star in three more Bond films – “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “The World Is Not Enough,” and “Die Another Day” – solidifying his place in cinematic history.
Beyond Bond, Brosnan’s filmography boasts a rich tapestry of roles. He showcased his dramatic talents in films like “The Matador” and “The Ghost Writer.” He revisited lighter themes in romantic comedies such as “The Thomas Crown Affair” and “Laws of Attraction.” Brosnan also actively produced films through his own company, Irish DreamTime, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit.
Personal life, however, brought both joy and sorrow. Brosnan’s first wife, Cassandra Harris, sadly passed away from ovarian cancer in 1991. He adopted her children, Charlotte and Christopher, raising them as his own. In 2001, he found love again with Keely Shaye Smith, with whom he has two sons, Dylan and Paris. Tragedy struck again in 2013 with the loss of his daughter, Charlotte, to the same illness that claimed her mother.
Through it all, Brosnan has remained a pillar of strength and resilience. He is a vocal advocate for environmental causes and actively supports cancer research charities.
Pierce Brosnan’s journey, from a young boy in Ireland to a global icon, is a testament to perseverance and talent. His legacy extends beyond the world of espionage, encompassing a diverse filmography, a dedication to family and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
Suggested viewing
The Last Rifleman (2023)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.5
An elderly veteran escapes his care facility, determined to reach Normandy for the D-Day anniversary. His arduous journey across country is fuelled by a desire to honour a fallen friend and finally confront the lingering ghosts of war.
Top cast: Pierce Brosnan, Clémence Poésy, John Amos, Jürgen Prochnow, Ian McElhinney, Tara Lynne O’Neill, Samuel Bottomley, Desmond Eastwood.
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.5
A media mogul manipulates global news to incite war between superpowers. Bond teams up with a skilled Chinese agent to stop him, coming up against high-tech gadgetry and a deadly scheme threatening world peace.
Top cast: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, Teri Hatcher, Ricky Jay, Götz Otto, Joe Don Baker, Vincent Schiavelli, Judi Dench, Desmond Llewelyn, Samantha Bond, Colin Salmon, Geoffrey Palmer, Julian Fellowes.
The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.4
Tasked with protecting an oil heiress from a cold-blooded terrorist with a vendetta, Bond uncovers a plot to unleash a nuclear catastrophe. Love and loyalty collide as Bond grapples with a dangerous mission that becomes deeply personal.
Top cast: Pierce Brosnan, Sophie Marceau, Robert Carlyle, Denise Richards, Robbie Coltrane, Judi Dench, Desmond Llewelyn, John Cleese, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Samantha Bond, Michael Kitchen, Colin Salmon, Goldie, David Calder.
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.8
A wealthy thrill-seeker steals a priceless Monet to escape boredom, attracting the attention of a sharp insurance investigator. As their chase unfolds, a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse transforms into a passionate attraction, blurring the lines between desire and justice.
Top cast: Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary, Ben Gazzara, Frankie Faison, Fritz Weaver, Charles Keating, Mark Margolis, Faye Dunaway.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.5
On a beautiful Greek island, a young woman invites three of her mum’s past flings to her wedding, hoping one is her father, while the mum reunites with her former loves amidst the chaos and sing-a-long fun.
Top cast: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgård, Nancy Baldwin, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Dominic Cooper.
GoldenEye (1995)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.2
In a post-Cold War world, a rogue British agent steals a satellite weapon. Bond, partnered with a resourceful computer programmer, races to stop him from using it to destroy a major city and plunge the world into chaos.
Top cast: Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen, Joe Don Baker, Judi Dench, Robbie Coltrane, Tchéky Karyo, Gottfried John, Alan Cumming, Desmond Llewelyn, Samantha Bond, Michael Kitchen.
Evelyn (2002)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.0
A single father in 1950s Ireland fights a powerful legal system to win back his children after they’re taken by the state due to his unemployment, in a story inspired by a true fight for justice.
Top cast: Pierce Brosnan, Julianna Margulies, Aidan Quinn, Sophie Vavasseur, Niall Beagan, Hugh McDonagh, Mairead Devlin, Frank Kelly.
Die Another Day (2002)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.1
A captured Bond, suspected of turning rogue, escapes North Korea and must redeem himself. He tracks a diamond tycoon with a hidden agenda and a deadly weapon, aided by a fiery NSA agent and a mysterious woman with divided loyalties.
Top cast: Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Rosamund Pike, Toby Stephens, Rick Yune, Judi Dench, John Cleese, Michael Madsen, Will Yun Lee, Kenneth Tsang, Colin Salmon, Samantha Bond. Madonna.
