Guy Hamilton Dies: Four-Time James Bond Director Was 93

Guy Hamilton, who directed four James Bond films in a long and successful career, has died on the Spanish island of Majorca, where he lived. He was 93.

He directed Sean Connery and Roger Moore as Bond twice each, first becoming a part of the 007 legend with 1964’s Goldfinger. He would direct Connery again in 1971’s Diamonds are Forever, before overseeing Roger Moore’s as the martini-drinking spy in Live and Let Die (1973) and The Man With the Golden Gun (1974).

Roger Moore was quick to pay tribute to the director via Twitter:

Hamilton made his way into the film business via some legendary mentors. He was The Third Man director Carol Reed’s assistant for five years and also served as John Huston’s assistant director on the classic The African Queen. His directorial debut came with the 1952 mystery feature The Ringer, starring Herbert Lom, before finding success with the Alastair Sim-starring An Inspector Calls a couple of years later. Other notable credits include The Colditz Story, The Battle of Britain and Harrison Ford World War II actioner Force 10 From Navarone.

It was the Bond films, however, that cemented his place in cinema history, presiding over a run during a golden age that saw the franchise emerge as multi-quadrant global capers. He got the gig thanks to his friendship with Bond producer Cubby Broccoli, who asked him if he wanted to direct Goldfinger. His reply was instant and affirmative.