Though often thought of as only frothy entertainment, the Bond films have not lacked for fine actors playing the role. Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan, are all well-regarded actors with distinguished careers. They have all added their own unique twist to the Bond character. This role, which has become an institution, demands the talents of an equally gifted actor. Anything less would be an insult to the franchise as well as to the character.

Bruce's Background

Born in London, Bruce Payne is considered by many drama critics and fans alike to be an A+ actor. A graduate of the prestigious and highly selective Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), he won 5 awards from RADA, as well as rave reviews for many of his stage and film performances since. Time magazine critic, Richard Corliss, for example, observing the stage play "West," declared that Bruce had given "a frighteningly dynamic performance." In the production of "Greek" at the Wyndhams Theatre in London, director Stephen Berkoff stated that as the main character Eddy, Bruce "gave a vital and dynamic performance and trod on the edge of danger." "Saying that Payne is a good actor," asserted a writer for "Cosmopolitan," "is like saying Fred Astaire is a good dancer."

In a number of his films, some critics have declared that it was Bruce who saved the movie. His role as the spivvy racist/fascist thug Flikker in "Absolute Beginners," which brought him rave reviews, was one such film. Another was "Highlander: Endgame," a movie that was not warmly received in many quarters. Many reviewers, however, praised Bruce's intensely maniacal portrayal of the archvillain Jakob Kell. "More fun than either of the stars [Christopher Lambert and Adrian Paul]," said Andrew O'Herir of "Salon" magazine. "But on its own terms, "Endgame" is pretty good, largely thanks to Bruce Payne's efforts as the bad guy," wrote a reviewer at Trashcity.org. "The one in the cast that seems to be having the most fun," writes another Internet reviewer, "is Bruce Payne…Payne contrarily gives a performance where he enunciates every syllable with real relish and dramatic weight, resulting in a performance that is entirely captivating whenever he is on screen."

Bruce's Range and Versatility

Bruce has delivered outstanding performances with great depth and subtlety in a wide range of different roles. No actor working today is more versatile. His many film and TV performances range from comedy (in the TV show "Keen Eddie," and films "Switch," "Pyrates," "Privates on Parade," and "Solarbabies") to action/adventure (in the TV shows "La Femme Nikita," "Dragnet," and "MI5/Spooks"); from the heroic ("Operation Intercept," "Face the Evil II," "Britannic," and "Never Say Never Mind") to the villainous ("Highlander: Endgame," "Dungeons & Dragons," "Full Eclipse," and "One Man's Justice"); as well as complex characters not so easily pegged as hero or villain (in "Kounterfeit," "Riders," and the TV show "La Femme Nikita").

Bruce never presents himself the same way twice in his roles. He exhaustively researches every role with meticulous professionalism, carefully crafting each aspect of the character: facial expressions, mannerisms, body language, speech delivery. Even his accent and hair are rarely the same. When he plays the kind-hearted Dr. Burton in "Silence Like Glass," for example, he radiates warm sincerity with every smile. As archvillain Jakob Kell in "Highlander: Endgame," he oozes evil, maniacal intensity with every syllable he speaks and each haughty gesture. In "Ripper," he delivers a quietly subtle performance as the tortured teacher Marshall Kane, complete with nervous facial tics. Because Bruce is constantly reinventing himself as an actor, making each role unique, honing each one to perfection, we can expect him to add a fresh, new and riveting twist to the character of Bond.

Some actors seem to have only one expression during the entire film (we won't name names here) but Bruce can be counted on to display many subtle shades of emotion and expression in any given role. In "Kounterfeit", the character Frankie's animated face is smiling and casual one scene, tough and no-nonsense the next. In "Dungeons & Dragons," as the villain Damodar, he switches rapidly from menacing to charming to touchingly vulnerable and back again all in one scene. Brosnan added new subtleties to the Bond demeanor, especially evident in "Die Another Day." Bruce can add yet more nuances to the portrayal, keeping it fresh and exciting, saving it from becoming boringly predictable, as a less talented actor might do.

A Director's Dream

Many actors are known for being prima-donnas with enormous egos, making them less than pleasant to work with. From his many interviews, it is obvious that Bruce is a director's dream. The off-screen Bruce is an easy-going, unpretentious man who smiles and laughs a lot. When talking about his films, he emphasizes cooperation. Of his experience with "Highlander: Endgame," for example, he said "I enjoyed working on the film because of the collaboration that took place between all of us…the actors, the director, and the technicians." His colleagues agree. Ian Paul Cassidy (Cracker Bob from "Highlander: Endgame") said of him, "Working with Bruce was the ultimate pleasure for an actor. He is wonderfully talented and the consummate professional." Echoing this sentiment is Doug Aarniokoski, the director of "Highlander: Endgame," who also called Bruce "the consummate professional." They had first worked together in Howling VI, when Aarniokoski was an assistant director. "Bruce was just a great guy and truly a hard worker," he proclaimed. When Aarniokoski was named director of "Highlander: Endgame," he immediately thought of Bruce for the part of the character Kell. "I knew that was Bruce, " he declared, and so went after him immediately.

A First Rate Actor

Bruce Payne, it is clear, is a first-rate actor with the ability to make a role fresh and exciting. He has the depth, versatility, and experience needed to pull off the demanding role of the world's most famous spy.