James Bond: Insights from three males who share the enduring title

Bond. James Bond.

It’s an iconic catchphrase from one of rtp slot many highest grossing movie franchises on the earth – to not point out acclaimed books, TV reveals, comics and even radio broadcasts.

However think about listening to it nearly daily at any time when somebody finds out what your full title is. That’s the truth for 3 males named James Bond that Metro.co.uk spoke to on the again of movie, The Different Fellow, that every one three star in.

Right here, they speak about what it’s wish to navigate life within the shadow of probably the most well-known British Secret Service agent on the earth.

Bond James Bond, 65

I contemplate James Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming, a father determine (Image: James Bond 007 Museum Nybro Sweden)

Generally after I get mail within the publish, I cry.

It’s not due to the content material of the letters although, it’s as a result of I see the title that it’s addressed to and I get emotional.

My title is actually: ‘Bond James Bond’. I legally modified it from Gunnar Schäfer to that in 2007 as a result of the fictional worldwide spy means a lot to me.

The truth is, I contemplate James Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming, a father determine. It appears like he’s been there for me all through my life when my very own organic dad left me and my household two years after I used to be born.

I’ve completely no recollections of my dad. He deserted my mom, two older brothers and I at some point however didn’t inform anybody. To this present day, nobody is aware of the place he ended up, however an Interpol search later declared him lifeless by 1969.

I’ve adopted the writer’s life – and the broader franchise – very carefully all through my very own (Image: James Bond 007 Museum Nybro Sweden)

It was actually laborious for my mom elevating three youngsters alone. She did her finest, however I at all times felt misplaced with no paternal determine to look as much as.

Then, my large brothers took me to observe Goldfinger in 1965 on the age of eight. I used to be instantly drawn to Sean Connery as James Bond, who performed the character as this powerful, tougher man getting amongst all of the motion.

I used to be hooked on the franchise after that. I truly obtained a bit toy Aston Martin with an ejector seat on the time, which I nonetheless have right this moment.

From that second on, I consumed something and the whole lot associated to James Bond. I went to my native library and skim all of Fleming’s books, which weren’t all that totally different to one another – however I couldn’t get sufficient.

I’ve adopted the writer’s life – and the broader franchise – very carefully all through my very own. I’ve seen each movie, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig. Apart from the nostalgia of 1964’s Goldfinger, one in every of my different favourites is definitely Daniel Craig’s Skyfall (2012) as a result of I really feel like there are similarities with my very own story.

I’ll perpetually be grateful to Ian Fleming for transporting me into this world (Image: James Bond 007 Museum Nybro Sweden)

James Bond visits Skyfall Lodge, his ancestral house the place his mother and father lived earlier than their premature deaths. I felt like I used to be watching myself on display making an attempt to determine what occurred to my very own father.

On prime of consuming all of the movies, TV reveals and movies, I additionally began accumulating memorabilia too. The truth is, I had so many artefacts that I opened a museum in 2002 – the identical yr Die One other Day got here out – known as the James Bond 007 Museum, Nybro, in Sweden.

In it, I’ve my huge assortment of automobiles, garments, movie set props, toys and even vodkas. A few of it may be fairly costly, however to me, it’s priceless.

I like the bikes I’ve from No Time To Die and the hovercraft from Die One other Day. However one in every of my absolute favourites is the motorised 12 metre-long gondola I obtained from 1979’s Moonraker.

Within the movie, Roger Moore is chased by means of the canals of Venice and I simply thought that was so cool. It truly took me 10 years earlier than I obtained accredited by the federal government there to purchase it and to take it with me again to Sweden.

I opened a James Bond museum in 2002 (Image: James Bond 007 Museum Nybro Sweden)

Altering my title in 2007 felt like a full circle second to honour the affect of each the franchise and Ian Fleming on my life. It means the world to me to have the identical title as my idol.

Folks ask if I remorse it, and the reality is, under no circumstances. James Bond comforted and helped me whereas I used to be rising up, it feels proper that I’ve devoted my life to it.

I’ve travelled the world to see as a lot as I can in relation to this life-changing spy and really, it’s introduced many individuals to me in Sweden too. I’ve met fanatics from everywhere in the world – from locations like New York, Jamaica, New Zealand and France.

That’s the ability of James Bond – he connects us to one another. And I’ll perpetually be grateful to Ian Fleming for transporting me into this world.

A number of years in the past, I visited the writer’s grave in Swindon and was overcome with emotion. It was very calm and peaceable to go to however all I might assume was: ‘That is the closest I can get to my dad.’

James Neal Bond, 70

I used to be truly born in 1953, the identical yr Ian Fleming’s first James Bond guide, On line casino Royale, was printed (Image: James Neal Bond)

As I finished at a pink mild within the bus I used to be driving, I observed the taxi in entrance of me had utterly damaged down.

The entrance finish of the automobile collapsed, a bang rang out and sparks had been flying in all places whereas it slid by means of the pink mild and onto the busy intersection.

All of a sudden, 4 males in fits popped out of the automobile and seemed round desperately. They waved their arms at me, so I ushered them over to leap at the back of my shuttle bus.

They had been on their approach to the airport and I used to be completely happy to take them after their heinous ordeal. A couple of minutes into the journey, one in every of them all of a sudden burst into riotous laughter.

He pointed at an indication in my automobile, which learn: ‘Thanks for using the Tremendous Shuttle, your driver is James Bond.’

Then he mentioned: ‘Think about our luck being rescued by James Bond!’ Everybody cracked up laughing. That man was so appreciative that he purchased the check in my bus for $100 (£80) and informed me he’d be hanging it in his workplace.

That’s simply one of many occasions being named James Bond has felt utterly surreal.

I didn’t actually relate to the spy protagonist as a result of I used to be a giant nerd at school (Image: James Neal Bond)

I used to be truly born in 1953, the identical yr Ian Fleming’s first James Bond guide, On line casino Royale, was printed. I didn’t comprehend it existed then although.

Having my title wasn’t a difficulty till I used to be about 12 years previous in junior excessive, which is when the primary James Bond movie, Dr No got here to my city in Texas – two years after its preliminary launch.

My historical past trainer truly known as me ‘00’ (brief for ‘007’) that very same week, however I had no thought what he was speaking about. That nickname caught from that time on, which I used to be very completely happy about. It was a welcome change from ‘Massive Foot’ – all as a result of I used to be carrying a dimension 13 shoe by the sixth grade.

After I ultimately went to see the movie, I didn’t actually relate to the spy protagonist as a result of I used to be a giant nerd at school and never very masculine in any respect. That didn’t cease me from writing ‘007’ on the prime of my homework, which my academics discovered very humorous.

That’s not the one time I leant into it. I had the quantity plate ‘007’ on my first automobile, in addition to quite a few Avon colognes of the identical quantity.

My dad actually needed me to name my first son ‘James Bond’ too as a namesake (Image: James Neal Bond)

There have been downsides too, together with folks like cops pondering I used to be displaying them a pretend ID.

After some time, I began go by ‘Jimmy’ as a result of I felt like I used to be dropping my very own identification. This wouldn’t cease folks from asking me about my relation to the spy after they noticed my final title paired with my nickname although.

In my early 20s, I obtained married and had two youngsters. My dad actually needed me to name my first son ‘James Bond’ too as a namesake, however I wasn’t so certain. Ultimately, we ended up naming him after my late-wife’s father as an alternative.

When my second son was born, I gave into my father’s strain and known as him James Andrew Bond, however he usually prefers to go by ‘Andy’.

So, my dad was James Lee Bond – earlier than Ian Fleming even printed his first novel – I’m James Neal Bond, my son is James Andrew Bond and my grandson is James Cesar Bond. 

Being known as James Bond has labored rather well in homosexual bars (Image: James Neal Bond)

There’s one main distinction I’ve with James Bond although – I’m homosexual.

I got here out to myself at 27, nevertheless it wasn’t till I used to be in my 30s that I sat down with household and mates. I used to be 31 after I got here out to my dad, who mentioned he’d at all times identified.

On the time, I used to be truly a pastor for a church, who fired me due to my sexuality. I don’t remorse a factor although.

The truth is, being known as James Bond has labored rather well in homosexual bars – folks purchase me drinks on a regular basis. I’m not the largest martini fan although, even if you happen to ask me whether or not I need it shaken or stirred.

Do I believe my life could be totally different if I used to be named one thing else? I couldn’t say, as a result of all I do know is the hand I’ve been handled.

On the finish of the day, 007 has been with me for my complete life – and I wouldn’t change it.

James Cesar Bond, 18

I used to be given the quantity seven on my jersey after I began taking part in peewee soccer (Image: James Cesar Bond)

‘Hello, I’m Bond. James Bond – and I’ll be your server right this moment.’

For the primary month or two in my function as a waiter, that’s how I began introducing myself to diners on the restaurant.

‘I’ll have a martini – shaken, not stirred,’ some replied. Whereas others opted for a cheeky: ‘Can I take your automobile keys?’

Every time, I merely responded by giving the fakest snicker I might muster. Why? As a result of my title is a superb dialog starter, nevertheless it’s even higher for ideas.

Somebody as soon as gave me a $300 (£240) tip on a $700 (£550) invoice, which I’d wish to assume was as a result of I used to be so charming, however my title in all probability had a component to play in it. I’ve even had a lady supply to pay me $20 for my title tag, so I agreed and simply changed it for $5.

I’ve at all times been pretty nonchalant about my title (Image: James Cesar Bond)

Rising up, I didn’t actually know that I shared a reputation with the well-known worldwide spy. For a very long time – to me – it was simply my title. I even recall taking part in GoldenEye 007 on Nintendo 64 and nonetheless not clocking.

In elementary college, academics would snicker their heads off after they’d name out my title, however I had no thought what they had been speaking about. The truth is, I used to be given the quantity seven on my jersey after I began taking part in peewee soccer.

It wasn’t till sixth or seventh grade that I obtained in on the joke. I’d have folks come as much as me within the college halls and say they’ve needed to satisfy me for some time – or introduce their sister, who was in my grade. It’s a bit creepy as a result of I wouldn’t know who they had been however they’d learn about me.

As I grew up, possibly I’ve seen extra of the movies, however I solely actually bear in mind 2012’s Skyfall with Daniel Craig. I simply recall pondering how a lot of a badass he was – and that it was fairly cool to share a reputation with him. I beloved that he was nice with the women too.

I’m the fourth technology James Bond in my household, so my nice grandfather was truly known as it earlier than Ian Fleming even created it.

From left, James Lee Bond, James Neal Bond, James Cesar Bond (entrance) and James Andrew Bond (Image: James Neal Bond)

To me, they’re simply Dad, Grandpa and Grandad, however all of us have nicknames – I’m JC (James Cesar), my dad is Andy as a result of his center title is Andrew, then there’s Jamie and Jimmy.

Earlier than my nice grandad’s dying, there have been moments the place we had been all in the identical room for issues like Thanksgiving, nevertheless it didn’t actually really feel like a giant deal on the time.

That’s the factor – I’ve at all times been pretty nonchalant about my title. I don’t assume it’s actually a leg up and I don’t wish to base my whole life or character on it.

All I do know is that I’d in all probability have rather less cash – because of the guidelines – if I used to be known as one thing else.

The Different Fellow – a documentary drama that explores the lives of actual males around the globe who’re named James Bond – is out there to hire and purchase now on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Youtube, Sky Retailer and different platforms.