150 replies to this topic

[Double-Oh Agent]

1) David Hedison -- Very jovial, friendly, and likeable. Captures the essence of Felix Leiter the best of all the actors.

2) Bernie Casey -- Very likeable. Has the best rapport with Bond of any of the Leiters.

3) Cec Linder -- Older yes, but I liked his friendly, easy-going way.

4) Rik Van Nutter -- Terrific casting. Practically the spitting image of Felix.

5) Jack Lord -- Worked well with Connery but is too stiff and business-like for me. Is better as Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O.

6) John Terry -- Okay, but underused.

7) Norman Burton -- Has a couple of decent scenes but is too grumpy in others and basically resembles the anti-Leiter.

[Scottlee]

I went for Hedison, if only because he was the sole example of continuity with the character. Lord and Van Nutter deserve honourable mentions, though. All the others were weak to mediocre.

[Red Barchetta]

I agree, David Hedison was the best Felix- especially in LTK.

[Pussfeller]

1. Jack Lord - The most like the literary Felix, although he wasn't really like him at all.
2. Rik van Nutter - He looked the most like the literary Felix, but had a whiny, irritable vibe.
3. Bernie Casey - He didn't look much like the literary Felix, but he did have a more interesting personality, and his relationship with Bond was more along the lines of the novels.
4. David Hedison - He was okay, and more interesting than most other Felixes, but he didn't seem at all like the literary Felix to me.
5. Cec Linder - He was a decent character, but far too old and avuncular to be Bond's friend. I can't imagine him assisting Bond in a fight, or knocking back shots of whisky.
6. John Terry - He wasn't awful, but he was boring, only seen a few times, and had terrible taste in clothes.
7. Norman Burton - He was awful. I guess they needed someone to make Connery look thin.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Nobody did it better than Dave...

He's Ian Fleming's Leiter. It's a shame that he doesn't return for CR.

[Blue07]

David Hedison. A great Felix Leiter.

[Doctor No]

1. Jack Lord (DN)
2. Bernie Casey (NSNA)
3. Rik Van Nutter (TB)
4. David Hedison (LALD & LTK)
5. Cec Linder (GF)
6. John Terry (TLD)
7. Norman Burton (DAF)

[Pam Bouvier]

I like Jack Lord, but I think David Hedison was more like the Felix in the books.

My thoughts, as well. Also liked Terry, alto his part was small in TLD

[OVERLORD]

Jack Lord and David Hedison where the only two that really felt like Felix to me, all the others could have been playing any other role. They never really had any great interaction with Bond, it was more like just add a Felix Leiter to a couple of scenes and that'll do it

[I Like Sharks]

1) David Hedison (Live and Let Die/License To Kill) Nice easy going bloke
2) Jack Lord (Dr No) Cool bloke. Close to Felix of books too
3) Rick Van Nutter (Thunderball) A bit boring but definatly looks the part
4) Cec Linder (Goldfinger) good actor but can't imagine him in a fight
5) Norman Burton (Diamonds Are Forever) Miscast
6) John Terry (The Living Daylights) Complete non-entity

[Genrewriter]

1. Hedison
2. van Nutter
3. Casey
4. Lord
5. Linder
6. Burton
7. Terry
8. Whomever played "Leiter" in the tv version of Casino Royale. Yeah, I know his name is Clarence in the show but it;'s basically the same guy.

[Qwerty]

Jack Lord and David Hedison where the only two that really felt like Felix to me, all the others could have been playing any other role. They never really had any great interaction with Bond, it was more like just add a Felix Leiter to a couple of scenes and that'll do it

What did you think of Rik Van Nutter?

[Double-0-Seven]

I would put them in this order:

1. David Hedison
2. Cec Linder
3. Bernie Casey
4. Rik Van Nutter
5. Jack Lord
6. John Terry
7. Norman Burton

Although we have yet to see Jeffrey Wright in the role, I think he will probably be in the top three.

[Pussfeller]

8. Whomever played "Leiter" in the tv version of Casino Royale. Yeah, I know his name is Clarence in the show but it;'s basically the same guy.

Ahh yes, Clarence Leiter, Jimmy Bond's British counterpart. He was played by Australian actor Michael Pate. I had forgotten about him. I would still rank him above Norman Burton.

[BondReader 007]

1. David Hedison (Live and Let Die and Licence To Kill)
2. Rick Van Nutter (Thunderball)
3. Jack Lord (Dr No)
4. John Terry (The Living Daylights)
5. Cec Linder (Goldfinger)
6. Norman Burton (Diamonds Are Forever)

[CJB]

1. David Hedison
2. Jack Lord
3. Norman Burton
4. Cec Linder
5. John Terry
6. Rick Van Nutter

[Righty007]

Mr. Wright may beat David Hedison as my favorite Felix Leiter...

[Daddy Bond]

IMO - Jack Lord is #1 - He seems most Bond's equal.
David Hedison is #2 - very likeable, besides I was a big Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea fan growing up.

[Forward Look]

I think Felix Leiter should return in Bond 21.

He will. According to IMDB, Jeffrey Wright, an accomplished black actor originally from Washington DC, has been cast as Felix Leiter for the new CR.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0942482/

If you are not familiar with Mr. Wright's acting experience, check out last year's "Syriana" film, where he performs credibly opposite George Clooney. Hopefully, Wright should be at least as good as Bernie Casey was in NSNA.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365737/

Best Leiter overall: a no-brainer for Jack Lord. Book 'em, Danno!

[Righty007]

I think Felix Leiter should return in Bond 21.

He will. According to IMDB, Jeffrey Wright, an accomplished black actor originally from Washington DC, has been cast as Felix Leiter for the new CR.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0942482/

If you are not familiar with Mr. Wright's acting experience, check out last year's "Syriana" film, where he performs credibly opposite George Clooney. Hopefully, Wright should be at least as good as Bernie Casey was in NSNA.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365737/

Best Leiter overall: a no-brainer for Jack Lord. Book 'em, Danno!

Thanks but that post is from three years ago...

[Righty007]

Poll added.

Jeffrey Wright is my favorite Felix Leiter.

[Pam Bouvier]

In the official Bond movies 7 different actors have played CIA agent Felix Leiter. I want you to rank the 6 Leiter's from your favorite (1) to your least favorite (7). Here's how I rank them:

1. Jeffrey Wright (Casino Royale)
2. David Hedison (Live and Let Die and Licence To Kill)
3. Jack Lord (Dr. No)
4. Ric Van Nutter (Thunderball)
5. Cec Linder (Goldfinger)
6. John Terry (The Living Daylights)
7. Norman Burton (Diamonds Are Forever)

Up until seeing CR, I would have put Hedison at the top (I liked his rapport with Moore & Dalton). I think John Terry had potential, just not enough screen time to really judge it well.

[Qwerty]

Jack Lord got my vote.

[Colossus]

Jack Lord as well. Seemed the most like the CIA equal to Bond.

[FLEMINGFAN]

Rik Van Nutter, I think, was the one actor probably closest to what Felix looked like in the books.

Totally agree!

[Double-0-Seven]

New list.

1. David Hedison
2. Jack Lord
3. Jeffrey Wright
4. Cec Linder
5. Bernie Casey
6. Rik Van Nutter
7. John Terry
8. Norman Burton

[Dr.Mirakle32]

1. David Hedison
2. Jack Lord
3. Rik Van Nutter
4. Cec Linder
5. Jeffrey Wright
6. Norman Burton
7. John Terry

[Qwerty]

Welcome to the CBn Forums, Dr.Mirakle32.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

Hedison
Casey
Lord
Wright - his sheer lack of screentime hurts him
Van Nutter
Linder
Burton & Terry - The dregs, can't even place one over the other

[DamnCoffee]

Wright
Hedison
Lord
Van Nutter
Linder
Burton
Terry
Casey