James Bond filmography by Connery, was selected as the third-greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute. When Sean Connery had been cast in November 1961, David Niven had been Fleming's choice for the role as the actor reflected his image of the character. In 1965 producer Charles Feldman signed Niven to play Sir James Bond for "Casino Royale", a film not made by Eon Productions. Connery and Peter Sellers had both turned down the role. Niven was 56 when he played Bond and his characterisation was that of an elderly man who had won the Victoria Cross at the Siege
David Niven motorcyclists, and mountain climbers: it ran for 21 episodes. In 1975, he narrated "The Remarkable Rocket", a short animation based on a story by Oscar Wilde. His last sizeable film part was in "Better Late Than Never" (1983). In July 1982, Blake Edwards brought Niven back for cameo appearances in two final "Pink Panther" films ("Trail of the Pink Panther" and "Curse of the Pink Panther"), reprising his role as Sir Charles Lytton. By this time, Niven was having serious health problems. When the raw footage was reviewed, his voice was inaudible, and his lines had to be dubbed by