Sir Roger Moore
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1991 to 2018
Sir Roger Moore, the popular British actor, was perhaps best known for his role as Secret Agent 007 in the James Bond movie series. His friendship with actress Audrey Hepburn steered him towards what became another pivotal role in his life: "My curiosity got the better of me after Audrey introduced me to UNICEF. I wanted to find out more than just the facts and figures." He was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991.
Sir Roger was a steadfast advocate for children – visiting UNICEF-supported programmes around the world, bringing attention to child crisis issues and enlisting support and donations. His early missions, including visits to Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras, showed him the desperate conditions faced by many of the world’s children and the breadth of UNICEF’s work in the field.
Sir Roger was a compelling voice on issues such as HIV/AIDS, landmine injuries and iodine deficiency. As the honorary chair of Kiwanis International’s Worldwide Service Project – a key UNICEF partner – he helped raise $91 million for the elimination of iodine deficiency.
Sir Roger was born and raised in south London. He received a certificate from the Royal Society of Arts and worked briefly in cartoon animation. While working as a film extra, he was offered a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Sir Roger subsequently joined the Cambridge Arts Theatre, which led to roles in London’s West End.
After some success in film and television, he became more widely recognized with his role as Simon Templar in the British television series The Saint. In 1973, Sir Roger played Special Agent 007 in the film Live and Let Die. He went on to star in another six blockbuster Bond films.
In recognition of his humanitarian achievements on behalf of UNICEF, Sir Roger was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1999 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2003.
He received the World Service Medal from Kiwanis International in 2001 and the German Federal Service Cross in 2003 for his work battling child trafficking as special representative to UNICEF.
Sir Roger died in Switzerland in 2018. He served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for 27 years.