The richest Bond star in 2026 is a question that has interested James Bond fans for years. Since the first movie premiered in 1962, the 007 franchise has made billions across the globe, and the franchise's top stars have made huge fortunes.
The main franchise of James Bond movies and related productions has a total of seven actors that have played the role of James Bond, and some of them have been paid so much more than others. Their wealth is derived not just from Bond films, but also other films, television roles, endorsements, investments and business. Roger Moore has an estimated fortune of around $146 million making him the biggest earner in this comparison as an actor.
Which Bond built the biggest fortune?
Not to spoil, James Bond: What makes the franchise such an unholy success? With $7.9bn in box-office take over the past few decades - around £15bn, or more than $20bn - the 007 franchise is one of the greatest, and most successful, in the history of cinema. The series kicked off in 1962 and across 27 movies, seven different actors have interpreted it.
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Gorge Lazeenby: Bond earnings $710,000 (£530k)
George Lazenby, an Aussie, reached that height in one Bond flick (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969). Being only 29 at the time meant he’d be the youngest to portray 007.
A budding unknown model who had done his first ads apparently received $80,500 (just over $710k in today’s currency when looking at 2026’s monetary value), but a lucrative offer on Diamonds Are Forever of $1m and six Bond movie contracts made Lazenby walk from the franchise, stating he felt like he wasn’t a producer and wasn’t satisfied with it.
George Lazenby: total wealth $20 million (£15m)
80-year-old Lazenby has torn himself on exiting his iconic agent role, and while he has admitted that he has no regrets over leaving Bond behind – he admitted that he felt he "was conned into walking away from a long and profitable contractual and creative career to move on to other things" after his agent had given him some advice.
Regardless, he has had a solid career in acting, playing roles in B-movies like The Man from Hong Kong (1975) and Saint Jack (1979), as well as some television dramas like Baywatch (1998) and The Pretender (1999). More recently, he lent his talents to the 2025 film crime movie Mundije.
Timothy Dalton: Bond earnings $21.5 million (£16.1m)
Brit actor Timothy Dalton played debonair superspy James Bond in two films: The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989). Unusually, by 1987 when Dalton signed on, the Welshman was an accomplished performer with numerous film credits, such as 1970 drama Wuthering Heights, sci-fi adventure Flash Gordon (1980) and TV shows like Charlie’s Angels (1979) and Jane Eyre (1983).
Dalton took home an estimated $3 million ($8.5 million/ £6.4 million in 2017 money) from his debut Bond outing – rocketing to $5 million ($13 million/ £9.7 million in 2017 money) from Licence to Kill; adding up to a sum of $8 million or $21.5 million in real money when adjusted for inflation.
David Niven: Bond earnings $9.6 million (£7.2m)
Sir David Niven (recently departed from this world), was in fact the 007 in Casino Royale (1967), the parody of Bond. Though not part of the Eon franchise, this is still a cult favorite in the eyes of fans of Bond. The part of 007 in the Eon franchise was considered for Sir David over Sir Sean Connery by Ian Fleming, himself.
Sir David Niven, known for his performances in such films as The Moon Is Blue (1953) and Separate Tables (1958), where he won an Oscar, it is unclear what exact fee was received by him for 007 in Casino Royale. Estimated figures are put somewhere between $1 Million, which is currently at $9.6million (7.2m).
Roger Moore: Bond earnings $91.5 million (£68.4m)
As 007 in seven films - Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983) and A View to a Kill (1985) - was appeared late by Sir Roger Moore.
The British performer was already an established star in film and on the TV screen prior to landing the part as 007 when his breakthrough role was in the series The Saint (1962). $1m (£7.1m/€5.3m today) was received by Moore for his inaugural Bond film and by the time A View to a Kill was starred in by him that figure had shot up to $7.5m or $22m/€16.5m in today's cash and an estimated $24.3m was earned by him which is a massive $91.5m/€68.4m today.
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Roger Moore: total wealth $146 million (£109m)
Following the Bond films, philanthropic activities were engaged in primarily by Moore and UNICEF's first Goodwill Ambassador was appointed by him in 1991. An honorary knighthood was awarded to him by the Queen for his philanthropic contributions to charity in 2003 and the UNICEF UK Lifetime Achievement Award was received by him in 2012.
Occasional, but often less prominent, acting appearances were made by him, notable among them being the comedy film Boat Trip (2002) and television spy series Alias (2002). His last credited appearance was in the 2017 TV movie, The Saint (named after the early hit show which first gained him national recognition). The prolific acting legend passed away in 2017 following his battle with cancer, his net worth reported to be $110m (£109m or $146m/€135m) at the time.
FAQs
1. Who is the richest Bond star in 2026?
Based on the figures provided, Roger Moore had the highest estimated net worth at around $146 million.
2. Which Bond actor earned the most from Bond films?
Roger Moore is listed with estimated inflation-adjusted Bond earnings of about $91.5 million.
3. How much was George Lazenby worth?
George Lazenby's estimated net worth is around $20 million according to the figures provided.
4. How many films did Roger Moore make as James Bond?
Roger Moore played James Bond in seven films, the most Bond appearances among the actors listed here.
5. Why did George Lazenby leave James Bond?
Lazenby left after On Her Majesty's Secret Service, despite reportedly being offered a large contract for future Bond films.
