By Emily Bowers
Renowned actor and humanitarian Roger Moore received an honorary doctorate of laws from Ryerson at fall convocation last Friday.
Moore was given the award for his outstanding work with UNIVED as an advocate of children’s rights and for his career in the entertainment industry.
Ryerson president Claude Lajeunesse said Friday “Ryerson is proud to honour Roger Moore for his service on behalf of the world’s children.”
Linda Grayson, Ryerson v.p. administration, said in her introductory speech, “Roger Moore has extended a helping hand to children around the world, speaking for many of those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Moore starred as Simon Templar in Britain’s popular TV adventure show The Saint, which ran from 1961 to 1968.
Fans of James Bond will remember Moore’s starring roles as secret agent 007 in seven Bond films: Live and Let Die (1973), The Man With the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1976), Moonraker (1978), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1982) and A View to Kill (1984). Moore was also featured in the Spice Girls films Spice World (1997).
Moore is considered by many Bond fans to be “the quintessential agent 007,” Grayson said.
In 1990, Audrey Hepburn asked Moore to speak at a UNICEF fundraiser in Holland. “It was her passion and her elegance that made me want to learn more,” he said.
Moore has since travelled around the world with UNICEF, advocating the needs and rights of children. Last may, he travelled to Macedonia to see UNICEF projects in action.
“I saw so many things when I started with UNICEF, [like] 11-year-old prostitutes,” he said. “It’s very hard to take.”
Moore was honoured by Queen Elizabeth with the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Award.
Moore also gave a piece of advice to his “fellow graduates” Friday. “When you’ve helped yourself, turn around and help others,” he said.
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