Roger Moore

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Roger Moore
born: 14-10-1927
birth place: Stockwell, South London

Following his release from the Military, Moore had a number of small roles in theatre productions and also worked as a model, whilst struggling to pursue his film-acting career. In 1949, his marriage was going through a rocky patch, particularly when his touring with theatre productions meant he and Doorn were apart much of the time. They were finally divorced in 1953. Moore had met singer Dorothy Squires at a party at her home whilst he was still waiting for his divorce to be finalised. The couple became official once the divorce came through and they moved to America, primarily for Dorothy to promote her new record, ‘I’m Walking Behind You’, but Moore decided to use it as an opportunity to try his acting luck with a different audience. They were married on 6 July 1953 in Jersey City.

Within a few days of their arrival in America, Moore was offered a role in a television play, ‘World by the Tail’ (1953) with Diana Lynn and Phyllis Kirk. He was then surprised by calls from Warner Bros., Paramount, MGM, Fox and Columbia, saying they wanted to meet him. He was also offered contracts with the Royal Shakespeare Company. On friend Noel Coward’s advice, he accepted the one with MGM and went on to work in television in New York and Hollywood.

Around this time, he was sent a cable from MGM, saying he must report in three months time to make a movie. It was to be his debut as a featured player in a film, as tennis pro Paul Lane, opposite Elizabeth Taylor and Van Johnson in ‘The Last Time I Saw Paris’ (1954). His next film was ‘Interrupted Melody’ (1955) with Eleanor Parker and Glenn Ford followed by a role as a highwayman in ‘The King’s Thief’ (1955) with David Niven. ‘Diane’ (1956) was Moore’s debut as a leading man, co-starring with Lana Turner. It was also his last film with MGM, as he then signed a contract with Warner Brothers.

He did some acting back in England in 1957 and 1958, while Dorothy had work in America, Australia and other parts of the world, so the couple were often apart. It was around this time that Moore met actress Luisa Mattioli on set whilst making a film in Italy. He claims it was love at first site and that they were able to communicate even though she spoke no English and he no Italian. Warner then cast Moore in a number of television shows like ‘Ivanhoe’ (1958) and ‘The Alaskans’ (1959). However, he gained most recognition from his role as James Garner’s cousin, Beauregarde, in ‘Maverick’ (1957). After that, he broke his contract with Warner.

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Links relating to this biography:
Roger Moore Official Website