Daniel Wroughton Craig is an English actor most famously known for his role as James Bond in the world-renowned movie franchise.

After training at the National Youth Theatre in London and graduating from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Daniel made his way into the world of acting with pure talent, exceedingly good looks, and dedication.

His outstanding performance and skills have granted him nominations for a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award. It might be not easy to believe that at only 53 years old, Daniel has 29 years of active on-screen presence under his belt, so let’s take a look at Daniel Craig when he was young, recalling his road to stardom.

Young Daniel Craig:

1. Daniel Craig in 1992

A year after graduating from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Daniel Craig made his on-screen debut in the drama film The Power Of One. As seen in this photo taken in 1992, he played a soldier by the name of Sargent Botha during World War II. This year he also had minor roles in a mini-series called Anglo-Saxon Attitudes and two other TV series called Covington Cross and Boon.

2. Daniel Craig in 1996

A very vintage photo of Daniel Craig young shows him with mid-length, golden locks while filming in his country of origin. At this time, in 1996, he had taken up several roles in a few films which included, Our Friends In The North (during the time this photo was taken), which was considered his breakthrough role in the industry, Kiss And Tell, and The Fortunes And Misfortunes Of Moll Flanders.

3. Daniel Craig in 1972

There is no doubt that Daniel Craig is a sight for sore eyes as a teenager. Even before his fame, he mastered his intense stare, which seems in almost all of his photos. After his parents divorced in 1972, he and his sister moved to Wirral Peninsula to live with their mother. There, he attended Primary School and then graduated from Hilbre High School at 16, where he played rugby for Hoylake RFC.

4. Daniel Craig in 1987

After being accepted into the National Youth Theatre, Daniel moved to London while attending the sixth form at Calday Grange Grammar School. 

In this dashing young photo, he was 19 years old. After his stage play debut as Agamemnon in Troilus and Cressida, he toured with the National Youth Theatre, performing in Valencia and Moscow. During this time, he worked part-time in restaurants to pay for his education.

5. Daniel Craig in 1993

The Daniel Craig young photos spark a lot of conversation regarding his rugged good looks, which hasn’t seemed to change much. In 1993, Daniel sported a mustache for his role in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles in this photo. He was also in a few episodes of the well-known American TV series Zorro and British shows Heartbeat, Between The Lines, Drop The Dead Donkey, and Sharpe’s Eagle.

6. Daniel Craig in 1996

This photo taken in 1996 shows off Daniel’s features well; this year, he was featured in the HBO horror series Tales From The Crypt and was also featured in the BBC television film Saint-ex. This was the same year he presented his breakthrough role in Our Friends In The North, acting alongside Christopher Eccleston, Gina McKee, and Mark Strong.

7. Daniel Craig in 1997

This photo of Daniel Craig shows him baby-faced and intensely staring into the eyes of co-worker Heike Makatsch during a scene in the movie Obsession, which was released in 1997. His role in the Franco-German drama film was a character named John MacHale who becomes entangled in a love triangle with a woman he met at the Berlin train station, fated to choose between him and her current lover.

8. Daniel Craig in 1998

Whether Daniel sports a black suit with dark hair for a film or his naturally blonde look, you can always recognize him. In 1998 he appeared in Love And Rage, an independent drama. Elizabeth, a biographical drama in which he played a Priest named John Ballard who was executed to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I. Lastly, the BBC film titled Love Is The Devil: Study For A Portrait Of Francis Bacon, for which this photo was taken.

9. Daniel Craig in 1999

What’s a biographical timeline without a shirtless photo of a famous actor. This black and white photo was taken of Daniel Craig in 1999 in what appears to be his dressing room at the Royal Court Theatre. The photo was taken by a photographer named Simon Annand and wasn’t published on Vanity Fair’s website until March 2012. During this year, he was starring in a TV drama called Shockers: The Visitor, as well as an independent war film called The Trench.

10. Daniel Craig in 2000

This is a rare photo of Daniel Craig displaying his silly side in Berlin, Germany 2000. This year he was starring in a drama film called Some Voices. His role was a schizophrenic man who falls in love with a woman he meets after being released from a psychiatric hospital. During this time, he also played a role in the dark comedy film Hotel Splendide and was featured in I Dreamed Of America.

11. Daniel Craig in 2001

Amounting to more famous movie roles, Daniel played Angelina Jolie’s character love interest in the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. In this photo taken in 2001, he made an appearance on the red carpet for the world premiere of the movie, which had taken place at the Mann Village and Mann Bruin Theatres in Westwood Village.

12. Daniel Craig in 2002

In 2002 Daniel posed in a dark-colored pin-striped suit for Getty Images. This year, he made several film appearances, including the anthology Ten Minutes Older: The Cello, where he starred in the Addicted To The Stars segment. His second release this year was a crime film called Road To Perdition, where he played an Irish mobster. His appearance in this film was alongside Tom Hanks and Paul Newman.

13. Daniel Craig in 2003

In this photo of Daniel from 2003, he is seen in a gray shirt with spiked hair and a rugged beard, climbing a ladder and holding a hammer in his hand. This appears to be from during the filming of The Mother, in which he played someone engaging in an affair with the mother of his lover and best friend. In 2003 he also acted in Slyvia’s biographical film alongside Gwyneth Paltrow.

14. Daniel Craig in 2004

2004 brings Daniel to the realm of wearing suits more than anything else. Here is a shot from the movie Layer Cake, where he played a London-based substance dealer in the crime thriller. He received praises from the Los Angeles Times, stating that his performance in the film was “stunningly suave” and “fascinating.” At this time, he also acted in Enduring Love, where his character develops a close relationship with a stranger after they both witness a deadly accident.

15. Daniel Craig in 2005

At this time, Daniel had booked the role he would become most famous for. In 2005, he was announced to be the new James Bond for the first installment, Casino Royale. This photo was taken during a press conference at Royal Navy after the announcement was made.

16. Daniel Craig in 2006

In the year 2006, the movie Casino Royale was released. Daniel wore a black suit and an undone tie on the movie poster as he walked with his back to a woman while holding a gun. He also appeared in two other films at this time, Infamous, a drama in which he played a mass murderer, and Renaissance, where he voiced the main character for the English version of this originally French animated film.

17. Daniel Craig in 2011

In 2011, Daniel starred in the film Dream House alongside his wife, Rachel Weisz. The two fell in love and got married this year. The following year, the third Bond film Skyfall was released, with Daniel remaining the leading role as James Bond himself. In 2012, he also starred as James Bond in the short film titled Happy And Glorious and even escorted Queen Elizabeth II to the Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony.

18. Daniel Craigin 2015

In April 2015, Daniel became the first global advocate appointed by the United Nations for the elimination of mines and explosive hazards. His position makes him responsible for raising awareness and political and financial support for the UN Mine Action Service. He is involved in several other charities that involve fundraising and addressing critical issues.

19. Daniel Craig in 2019

In his everyday uniform, Daniel attended the 2019 Oscars, where he presented an award alongside famous actress Charlize Theron. This year, he also starred in the black comedy murder-mystery film Knives Out by Rian Johnson. The film was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was critically acclaimed. Daniel signed on to return as his character Detective Benoit Blanc in the sequel that fans are looking forward to.

20. Daniel Craig in 2021

As the final installment of the 007 film series is released in 2021, Daniel Craig bids farewell to his colossal role as James Bond. He is seen kneeling on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, receiving his very own star for his life-changing and outstanding performance in the movie franchise. He has surely made a mark on everyone, especially 007 fans, and it will be thrilling to see the journey he embarks on next.