 |
Pierce Brosnan as "Remington Steele.". Source: https://www.gq.com/story/pierce-brosnan-power-suit-tbt (May be subject to copyright) |
Yet, in the 1980s that would be years away because, when the producers of James Bond came calling, he was bound by his contract to stay on his television show.
It would be years before he was able to assume the role that so many people thought he was perfect for.
In the late ‘90s and beyond, Pierce Brosnan was James Bond, but his time in the ‘80s was defined by a different role – Remington Steele.
The years before
Brosnan is an Irish actor who got his start on British TV with the part of Tony Murphy in “Murphy’s Stroke” in 1979, a TV movie about a horse racing fraud; and guest spots in 1980 in “Hammer House of Horror”, and the crime drama “The Professionals”.
Brosnan is an Irish actor who got his start on British TV with the part of Tony Murphy in “Murphy’s Stroke” in 1979, a TV movie about a horse racing fraud; and guest spots in 1980 in “Hammer House of Horror”, and the crime drama “The Professionals”.
In 1981, he had one of the main roles in the miniseries “Manions of America”. It was about Irish immigrants to America in the 19th Century during the potato famine. I recall seeing pieces of “Manions of America”on Channel 13 of the peasant vision dial.
He followed that up in 1982 with a guest spot in the British drama anthology series “Play for Today”. That year he was also in four episodes of “Nancy Astor” on British television, about the first woman to sit in the House of Commons. It earned Brosnan a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 1984 after it aired on “Masterpiece Theatre” in North America.
Everything would change for Brosnan in 1982 when he took a role in a brand new television show, and moved to Southern California.
Remington Steele
It was a show that was very indicative of its time. Laura Holt, played by Stephanie Zimbalist, was an aspiring private investigator. However, she quickly discovered no one would hire a woman.
It was a show that was very indicative of its time. Laura Holt, played by Stephanie Zimbalist, was an aspiring private investigator. However, she quickly discovered no one would hire a woman.
Consequently, she created “Remington Steele”, an imaginary internationally renowned investigator to be the name of her detective agency. When perspective clients came in, she would meet with them, because Mr. Steele was busy. However, she assured them she would keep Mr. Steele fully apprised of their case. Any information or progress came from him, and Miss Holt was just passing it on.
It seemed to be working fine, until a mysterious British man comes on the scene, claiming to be Remington Steele. Miss Holt couldn’t very well reveal the truth, so “Remington Steele” was born.
The show debuted on CBC Channel 9 on the peasant vision dial in 1982, when I was in Grade 8, and I watched it every week.
Steele was a bit of a bumbler initially, drawing the ire of Murphy Michaels, played by James Read, who was an actual investigator. However, Steele charmed secretary Bernice Foxe, played by Janet DeMay. Murphy also had a crush on Holt, and was jealous of Steele. Murphy Michaels and Bernice Foxe left after the first season, replaced by Mildred Krebs, a former Internal Revenue Service agent who becomes the firm’s secretary.
The thing I always thought was cool was how Steele often referred to movies for parallels or insight into cases they were working on. In a clever twist, in one show Holt refers to TV shows to do the same thing. Steele has no idea what she is talking about.
Over time, as happens, Holt and Steele grow closer, developing feelings for each other and teasing the audience as to whether they will ever get together.
The show ran from 1982 to 1987 for a total of 94 episodes. By the time it reached its final season, the show was cancelled then NBC decided to renew it. In that intervening time both Brosnan and Zimbalist had taken roles in movies – she in “Robo Cop” and he in the James Bond film “The Living Daylights”. However, upon renewal of the series they both had to drop out. Ultimately, six hours of "Remington Steele", aired as TV movies, was the final season, so the show kind of drifted away. By then, I had started going out with my friends and just stopped watching. I do recall tuning in for that final episode, but I have no recollection of how it ended.
No longer tied down to a television show, Pierce Brosnan got busy exploring other opportunities, launching a pretty major film career.
Rest of the decade
Pierce Brosnan closed out the ‘80s with main roles in the TV miniseries “Noble House” in 1988, and “Around the World in 80 Days” in 1989.
Pierce Brosnan closed out the ‘80s with main roles in the TV miniseries “Noble House” in 1988, and “Around the World in 80 Days” in 1989.
He also moved on to the big screen with roles in “Nomads”; “Taffin”; “The Fourth Protocol”; and “The Deceivers”.
Pierce Brosnan’s best work was still in front of him as the ‘80s ended.
The years after
Brosnan appeared in a number of television movies, but he found his greatest success on the big screen.
Brosnan appeared in a number of television movies, but he found his greatest success on the big screen.
He appeared in such movies as “The Lawnmower Man”; and “Mrs. Doubtfire” with Robin Wiliams and Sally Field, which is one of my favourite movies.
Then, he finally assumed the role of James Bond, which he played in “GoldenEye” in 1995; “Tomorrow Never Dies” in 1997; “The World is Not Enough” in 1999; and “Die Another Day” in 2002.
Brosnan was also in “Mars Attacks!”; “The Mirror Has Two Faces”; “Robinson Crusoe”; “Dante’s Peak”; “Grey Owl”; “The Thomas Crown Affair”; “After the Sunset”; “Laws of Attraction”; “The Matador”; “Mamma Mia!”; “The Ghost Writer”; “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”; “The November Man”; “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”; and much more.
He also has four movies in production or coming out.
Mistaken identity
When I was in university, this guy I knew was running for students’ union president. I had this message on my answering machine that paid homage to “The Rockford Files”, one of my favourite TV shows. Each episode started with an answering machine message. It went, “This is Jim Rockford, leave your name and number, I’ll get back to you.” So that’s what I had on my answering machine.
When I was in university, this guy I knew was running for students’ union president. I had this message on my answering machine that paid homage to “The Rockford Files”, one of my favourite TV shows. Each episode started with an answering machine message. It went, “This is Jim Rockford, leave your name and number, I’ll get back to you.” So that’s what I had on my answering machine.
One day, I come home and there is this message. It starts with, “Hi Jim, this is Pierce Brosnan…”
I laughed, because if he wanted to be clever, he would have said “This is Remington Steele…”, but I totally appreciated the sentiment.
Throughout that election campaign, he called regularly for assistance with his campaign.
His name was Randy Boissonault. He is now the MP for Edmonton Centre and Deputy Minister of Finance.
Parting thoughts
I have always found it kind of funny how “Remington Steele’ kind of spoofed British men of mystery. Yet, Pierce Brosnan ended up playing one of the greatest British spies straight up. I still recall anytime he was mentioned as the next James Bond, everyone would say, “Oh yeah, for sure.”
I have always found it kind of funny how “Remington Steele’ kind of spoofed British men of mystery. Yet, Pierce Brosnan ended up playing one of the greatest British spies straight up. I still recall anytime he was mentioned as the next James Bond, everyone would say, “Oh yeah, for sure.”
Brosnan’s role as Remington Steele was also quite layered. He came off as kind of a cad and con man, but had a loyalty, sensitivity and charm that showed a depth of character.
That versatility prepared Brosnan for a film career that ranges from horror, action and thrillers, to comedies such as “Mrs. Doubtfire”, and romances such as “The Mirror Has Two Faces”.
I heard recently he has a movie coming out, which also speaks to his longevity.
Yet, whenever I see him, or hear his voice, he is still a man of mystery pretending to be a different man of mystery.
No comments:
Post a Comment