The Irish James Bond?

Many of us only know him as James Bond or 007, but there’s more to what made Pierce Brosnan one of the hardest working stars in tv and film. As he played the most famous role in film as James Bond, many would understandably believe him to be of British decent, but that’s not actually the case.

What many don’t know is that Pierce Brendan Brosnan has Irish ancestry. In fact he was born on May 16, 1953, in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, and was raised in Navan, County Meath. His father, Thomas Brosnan, was a carpenter from County Kerry, and his mother, May Smith, was a nurse from County Louth. Brosnan has been outspoken about his Irish roots and frequently expresses pride in his Irish heritage.

What many don’t know is that Brosnan’s father abandoned the family when he was a young child, and his mother had to move to London to work as a nurse, leaving him to be raised by his grandparents. Brosnan has spoken about the challenges he faced growing up, including poverty and the loss of his father at a young age.

Despite these early life challenges, Brosnan has described his childhood in Ireland as a happy one, and he has often spoken fondly of Ireland and its culture. He has credited his Irish upbringing with instilling in him a strong work ethic and a sense of humor, both of which have served him well in his career as an actor.

According to IMDB.com, Brosnan stands 6′ 1¼” tall and was married to Cassandra Harris for 11 years and had adopted her three children until her tragic death in 1991. In 2001, Brosnan married Keely Shaye in a fairytale ceremony at the 800-year-old Ballintubber Abbey in Ireland. The loving couple have two sons together, Dylan and Paris.

Brosnan has remained connected to his Irish roots throughout his life, and he has been involved in a number of charitable causes in Ireland, including the Irish Hospice Foundation and the Irish Autism Action organization. He has also been honored by the Irish government for his contributions to the arts and his promotion of Irish culture, including the Freedom of Navan award as well as Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his services to drama.