Robert Brown (actor) - Definition and Overview

Robert Brown as M in Licence to Kill

Robert Brown (July 23, 1921 - November 11, 2003) was a British actor most known for his portrayal of M in the James Bond movies. He was preceded by Bernard Lee who passed away in 1981.

Brown was born and died in Swanage, England. Before appearing in the Bond films, he had a long career as a bit-part actor in films and television. Two of his most notable parts were as the galley-master in Ben-Hur (1959) and as factory worker Bert Harker in the BBC's 1960s soap opera, The Newcomers.

Technically Brown first started in the James Bond franchise in the film The Spy Who Loved Me as Admiral Hargreaves. After Lee's death in 1981, the producers decided to leave the character M out of For Your Eyes Only out of respect for the actor. In 1983, however, they cast Brown to portray M. It is unknown as to whether he was the same character as Lee's M or a different M. He would later be succeeded by Judi Dench in the film GoldenEye.

James Bond Franchise

Altogether Robert Brown starred in five James Bond films.

• The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) - Admiral Hargreaves
• Octopussy (1983) - M
• A View to a Kill (1985) - M
• The Living Daylights (1987) - M
• Licence to Kill (1989) - M

Other Notable films

• The Third Man (1949) - Uncredited (coincidentally Bernard Lee is also in this film)
• Ben-Hur (1959) - Uncredited