Post by sparklingblue on Oct 11, 2003 16:26:56 GMT -5
Bond actor Roger Moore receives knighthood
www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/10/9/latest/14452Bondactor&sec=latest
LONDON (AP) - Evil villains and Soviet spies drew barely a raised eyebrow, but meeting Queen Elizabeth II filled Sir Roger Moore with fear.
"I had the worst attack of stage fright in my life,'' said the actor, famous for his unflappable portrayal of British secret agent James Bond, after receiving a knighthood at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
"When you realize the gravitas of the situation, it's slightly nerve-racking,'' Moore said. "It was like a costume drama and I was Sir Ivanhoe _ a part I have played, incidentally.''
The 75-year-old was knighted not for his acting but for his charity work, including 12 years as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.
"Her Majesty said I'd been involved with charities for a long time but she supposed that people will always call me 007,'' Moore said. "I said that I didn't mind because I was paid money for it!''
Earlier this year, Moore had a pacemaker fitted after collapsing on stage during a performance on New York's Broadway. He is the second James Bond actor to be knighted _ Sir Sean Connery was honored three years ago.
The current Bond, Pierce Brosnan, collected an honorary Order of the British Empire in July. It was honorary because he is an Irish citizen.
Moore made seven Bond movies between 1973 and 1985, the same number as Connery, and previously starred in hit TV shows "The Saint'' and "The Persuaders.''
Rock star Sting also met the queen Thursday and was made a CBE, or Commander of the British Empire, a lesser honor than a knighthood. Announced at the palace as "Gordon Sumner, known as Sting,'' the 51-year-old singer-songwriter-musician took a bow before the queen.
"I've never met the queen before. It's a little bit like a dream,'' said the former member of hit rock group The Police.
"I'd be surprised if she knows my music _ I know (Prince) Charles listens to it _ but there's always hope.''
Sting recalled his childhood on Tyneside in northeastern England where his father was a milkman.
"My father worked every day, except Christmas Day, until he died and gave me a sense of hard work. I still have that work ethic,'' he said. "I didn't ever imagine that when I set off from Newcastle with a guitar and a bag of songs that I would end up here at Buckingham Palace.
"It's a landmark for me _ an acceptance of my work in the world, because I do feel I represent Great Britain in the world.''
The honors are bestowed by the queen but largely selected by the government. The recipients were announced in June to mark the sovereign's birthday.-AP
www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/10/9/latest/14452Bondactor&sec=latest
LONDON (AP) - Evil villains and Soviet spies drew barely a raised eyebrow, but meeting Queen Elizabeth II filled Sir Roger Moore with fear.
"I had the worst attack of stage fright in my life,'' said the actor, famous for his unflappable portrayal of British secret agent James Bond, after receiving a knighthood at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
"When you realize the gravitas of the situation, it's slightly nerve-racking,'' Moore said. "It was like a costume drama and I was Sir Ivanhoe _ a part I have played, incidentally.''
The 75-year-old was knighted not for his acting but for his charity work, including 12 years as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.
"Her Majesty said I'd been involved with charities for a long time but she supposed that people will always call me 007,'' Moore said. "I said that I didn't mind because I was paid money for it!''
Earlier this year, Moore had a pacemaker fitted after collapsing on stage during a performance on New York's Broadway. He is the second James Bond actor to be knighted _ Sir Sean Connery was honored three years ago.
The current Bond, Pierce Brosnan, collected an honorary Order of the British Empire in July. It was honorary because he is an Irish citizen.
Moore made seven Bond movies between 1973 and 1985, the same number as Connery, and previously starred in hit TV shows "The Saint'' and "The Persuaders.''
Rock star Sting also met the queen Thursday and was made a CBE, or Commander of the British Empire, a lesser honor than a knighthood. Announced at the palace as "Gordon Sumner, known as Sting,'' the 51-year-old singer-songwriter-musician took a bow before the queen.
"I've never met the queen before. It's a little bit like a dream,'' said the former member of hit rock group The Police.
"I'd be surprised if she knows my music _ I know (Prince) Charles listens to it _ but there's always hope.''
Sting recalled his childhood on Tyneside in northeastern England where his father was a milkman.
"My father worked every day, except Christmas Day, until he died and gave me a sense of hard work. I still have that work ethic,'' he said. "I didn't ever imagine that when I set off from Newcastle with a guitar and a bag of songs that I would end up here at Buckingham Palace.
"It's a landmark for me _ an acceptance of my work in the world, because I do feel I represent Great Britain in the world.''
The honors are bestowed by the queen but largely selected by the government. The recipients were announced in June to mark the sovereign's birthday.-AP