Actor Pierce Brosnan, who is well-known for playing Agent 007, has been considered a true Hollywood star. Acquiring the iconic macho role of James Bond marked a turning point in his career and cemented his place in the film industry.
His mother was forced to leave him with his grandparents in Ireland as she looked for work in London to support him after his father abandoned him during his early years.
“There were two lodgers — laborers, one from the factory and the other from the sawmill,” Brosnan recalled, recalling his early years spent with his grandmother and grandfather.
“I had a bed made of steel and covered with draperies. That was my room, my haven, and my fortress,” he told Esquire.
He dreamed of becoming an actor and loved watching movies, especially American Westerns, even back then.
To everyone’s delight, his dream came true.
Brosnan got back together with his father on his 31st birthday.
“I was with him on a Sunday afternoon. Telling each other stories, drinking a couple glasses of Guinness, then saying goodbye,” he remembered. I was desperate to learn more about him. He had a unique way of walking and was a skilled whistler. That’s the only thing I know about him.
In 1977, Brosnan met Cassandra Harris when he traveled to London to attend theater school. She was still married to Dermot Harris at the time, and the two of them had two children, Chris and Charlotte.
According to reports, Brosnan was enthralled with Harris’ charm and charisma. He fell in love with her right away, even though she was five years his senior, and five years later they exchanged vows. After Harris’s ex-husband passed away, Brosnan formally adopted her two children. The couple eventually welcomed their own son, Sean.
The actor revealed, “As a family, we instantly connected.” Pierce was who I was at first, then Daddy Pierce, and then just Dad. Chris and Charlotte have played a crucial role in my life.
Getty Images/Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection
Sean’s arrival appeared to complete the family. But Harris was given the depressing diagnosis in 1987. Before dying, she bravely fought ovarian cancer for four years.
The longest night of Brosnan’s life, he remembered, was the night he bid his wife farewell.
“I was in a state of helplessness, confusion, and anger.” He opened out to People about the terrible loss he experienced, saying, “She comforted me.”
She has helped to mold me into the father, actor, and man I am today.
She continues to be an essential component of who I am. She comes with me every day. I consider myself really fortunate to have met her.
Years after Harris left, Brosnan had to deal with yet another devastating situation when his adopted daughter Charlotte was found to have the same type of cancer as her mother. Unfortunately, she also died of the disease, leaving behind a husband and children. As Brosnan grieved, this incident brought back many painful memories.
“Charlotte bravely fought her illness with dignity, compassion, strength, and decency. The loss of our beloved, beloved girl weighs heavily on our hearts. We hope for her and that the cure for this abominable illness will be found quickly,” the actor said in a statement.
After Cassandra passed away, Brosnan struggled to deal with the loss. He did, however, finally meet Keely Shaye Smith, his wife of over twenty years.
From their first meeting at a Mexican restaurant in 1992, the actor was deeply in love with Kelly. They courted for two years before exchanging vows seven years later. He felt something special about her. The former James Bond star revealed in an interview with The Independent the charm of Keely that first drew him in.
I respect her energy and passion. I couldn’t survive without the resilience she radiates. I disarm when Keely looks at me.
Eventually, their love developed. She talked on how she found Pierce Brosnan “spellbinding” in an interview with People in 2001.
He was tall, black, and attractive—qualities that make someone stand out. There was a spark of mischief in his eyes. I was completely captivated! Keely said.
I understand why ladies are drawn to him since he is a seductive person. He holds women in high regard and admiration. He is intelligent, charming, and genuinely beautiful from the inside out. Furthermore, he ages elegantly, much like vintage wine.
Brosnan openly admitted that he was “rescued” by meeting Kelly when he was in the depths of despair. Despite the skyrocketing trajectory of his career, he was prepared to travel any distance just to see her.
No matter where I went in the world, I could feel her absence, so I sent tickets for her to come so we could be together again. There was no denying our compatibility,” Brosnan said. “I found Keely Shaye to be a remarkable woman. Searching for her equivalent a million times over would be pointless.
Setting aside time for one another despite their busy work schedules is a crucial component of their long-lasting marriage.
“My wife and I took a quick trip to Santa Barbara – envisioning a romantic getaway, looking at homes, and sipping fine wines. We didn’t listen to music, instead enjoying the harmony of our voices as we worked out the problems of the world,” he recalled.
Keely has changed physically over the years and occasionally hears disparaging remarks about her appearance, but her husband has always supported her and shown his love for her for who she is. She is still without a doubt the deepest love of his life.
Given the widespread belief that Hollywood marriages are short-lived, Brosnan’s unwavering devotion to her may cause some people to take notice, but theirs is as durable as a boulder.
The Hollywood star revealed to People that she and Keely like playing backgammon. “We engage in intense competition.” I got her into the game, and now she beats me up all the time. It can be really annoying. In actuality, it is very, really, really annoying.
The actor gave his fans a new perspective on their collaboration in a recent interview with Fox, explaining the motivation behind its enduring success. We have a deep attachment for one another. We love each other very much,” he said. “As all families do, we have walked difficult paths together, overcoming many obstacles.”
“Seeing someone grow older with you, grow older with you, signifies a spiritual journey,” he added. “Noticing changes in each other… The love that is engraved in our hearts is what resonates, regardless of looks, physical attributes, or everything else.
Brosnan praised his wife for her constant presence and support during his work since they first met.
“She gives me the opportunity to explore new areas and carry out my responsibilities as a man and an actor, [she] always has,” he continued. “Keely works as a correspondent and journalist. In her own right, she is an artist. She has also created a family for our sons as a lady.
We send our warmest wishes for a lifetime of happiness, love, and laughter to this lovely couple. In Hollywood, they are the perfect example of how enduring true love can be!