No, Pierce Brosnan did not play the character of The Saint. While there were significant rumors linking him to the role, he ultimately did not take on the part.
The Rumors and Reality
In the early 1990s, media outlets such as Entertainment Tonight and the National Enquirer reported that Pierce Brosnan was slated to inherit another iconic role previously played by Roger Moore: that of Simon Templar, famously known as The Saint. This speculation arose during a period when Brosnan was a prominent figure, often considered for major action roles.
However, Pierce Brosnan himself publicly denied these rumors in July 1993. Despite his denial, he acknowledged the ongoing nature of the project, stating, "it's still languishing there on someone's desk in Hollywood." This indicates that while the role was considered, and perhaps even offered to him or discussed, it never materialized into an actual production featuring him as The Saint.
For more details on Pierce Brosnan's career, you can visit his Wikipedia page.
Who Played The Saint?
While Pierce Brosnan did not portray The Saint, several other notable actors have taken on the role of the debonair adventurer Simon Templar across various adaptations:
- Roger Moore: Famously portrayed The Saint in the popular 1960s British television series.
- George Sanders: Played the character in a series of films in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
- Louis Hayward: Also starred as The Saint in a couple of films during the 1940s.
- Val Kilmer: Starred as Simon Templar in the 1997 film adaptation, The Saint. This film was released several years after the rumors about Brosnan circulated.
Pierce Brosnan's Iconic Roles
Despite not playing The Saint, Pierce Brosnan is renowned for several other prominent roles throughout his career, particularly his portrayal of James Bond. Here's a look at some of his most recognized characters:
| Role | Notable Production(s) | Type of Character |
|---|---|---|
| James Bond | GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day | Secret Agent |
| Remington Steele | Remington Steele (TV series) | Con Man turned Detective |
| Sam Carmichael | Mamma Mia!, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again | Romantic Lead |
| Dr. Richard Nelson | Mrs. Doubtfire | Romantic Antagonist |
