Biografia

Was the original choice to play James Bond 007 in Agente 007 - Licenza di uccidere (1962).

Died of a heart attack while playing golf, shortly after completing a guest-starring role on Hawaii Five-O (1968).

In 1976, in what would be his final interview, Boyd expressed regret at concentrating so heavily on movies and said he wished he had acted more on stage and on television.

He blamed the massive commercial failure of La caduta dell'impero romano (1964) for ruining his movie career.

While working as a doorman at a Leicester Square cinema in London in 1955, Boyd was discovered by Sir Michael Redgrave, who got him his first film role.

I decided that perhaps now I'm at an age when film producers and the major companies might accept me again as I am rather than as they thought I was. (1976)

[on Brigitte Bardot] All I can say is that when I'm trying to play serious love scenes with her, she's positioning her bottom for the best angle shots.

[on Sophia Loren] She is not the most attractive lady in the world at first glance but, my God, two seconds later you felt like you were in a dream world. Just for her to say "Hello" was enough. You just capitulated. For me she is the most beautiful person I've ever met.

I am sick and tired of acting. I want to make decisions at production level. I have tried to fight the system and do things my way, but I haven't been able to. Now I feel that whatever talent I may have had is gone. The time has come to move on.

They tried to make me a star, a leading man. Well, I'm not a star even though they thought I looked like one. I'm a character actor. When I've had the choice I've always opted for the character role. I'd rather be the pillar that holds up the star than the star himself.