Pierce Brosnan Turned 70, So We Dug Up Some Lesser-Known Facts About Him

Pierce Brosnan, who stole our hearts as James Bond back in the day, recently reached a milestone: the big 7-0! Apart from his iconic role, many of us admire him for his immense love and unwavering devotion he has for his wife, Keely Shaye Smith. When she faced hurtful body-shaming from the public, Brosnan became her shield, fiercely protecting her. Intrigued by Pierce Brosnan’s life, we delved deeper and discovered more facts we didn’t know about him.

Pierce Brosnan was raised by his grandparents.

Born on May 16, 1953, in County Louth, Ireland, Pierce Brosnan had a challenging upbringing. His father abandoned the family when he was young, and his mother moved to London to work as a nurse.

In interviews, Pierce described his family as “fractured” but also appreciates his mother’s sacrifices and considers her “courageous.”

He left school at 16.

Pierce Brosnan’s school days were tough, and he left at 16 without a clear direction of what he wanted to do. Being an ardent art enthusiast, he pursued training at London’s Saint Martin’s School of Art, where he honed his passion for painting.

Despite his focus on acting, Pierce still devotes time to his hobby, and paints often. Even while away for shoots, he sets up temporary studios in his accommodations, so he can paint.

He has undergone training to become a skilled fire eater.

During a 1969 acting workshop, Pierce came across a street performer who was teaching fire eating. Intrigued, he enthusiastically joined in and acquired a skill that he continues to take pride in.

Although Pierce hasn’t frequently showcased this talent throughout his career, there was a notable instance when he briefly demonstrated his talent during an episode of Muppets Tonight.

Pierce turned down the role of James Bond at first.

When initially approached, Pierce had to decline the role of James Bond, despite its status as one of the most iconic roles in film history. While Pierce was ready to step in the shoes of James Bond, he was forced to withdraw from the film as NBC decided to renew Remington Steele for one more series, in which Brosnan was starring.

Pierce’s portrayal of Bond finally debuted on the silver screen in 1995. He skillfully embodied the iconic spy in four films: GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day.

Pierce Brosnan became a single dad to his adopted stepchildren after his wife’s passing.

When Brosnan met his first wife, Casandra, she was married and had 2 children, Christopher, then 15, and Charlotte, then 14. Casandra and Pierce got married in 1980, and when her first husband passed away in 1986, Brosnan officially adopted Casandra’s children and they even took his surname.

After Casandra passed away from ovarian cancer in 1991, Pierce became a single dad to 3 children — Christopher, Charlotte, and Sean — his biological child he shared with Casandra.

In 2001, he was named the “Sexiest Man Alive.”

According to the publication, Pierce was selected as the “Sexiest Man Alive” because of his intelligence, captivating presence, the timeless beauty that emanates from his soul, and for aging like a fine wine.

Brosnan has worked with numerous charities.

Pierce has dedicated his life to philanthropy, collaborating with numerous charitable organizations. As a UNICEF Ireland Ambassador for over two decades, he has actively contributed to raising funds for various causes, including women’s and children’s charities, as well as conservation societies.

Pierce and his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, also generously donated $100,000 to replace an unsafe playground at a nearby school in Hawaii, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the community.

Pierce went through many ups and downs in life, and after losing his first wife and daughter to ovarian cancer, depression took hold of him, but his wife Keely Shaye Smith literally saved Pierce Brosnan’s life.