If one disregards some roles as an extra and a few TV appearances, the 1980 British film "The Long Good Friday" can be seen as Pierce Brosnan's (right) debut film, even though he only played a supporting role in it. Starring in this gangster movie set in London was Bob Hoskins.

The man who'd later embody James Bond owes his breakthrough to the British television crime series "Remington Steel." Over five years, from 1982 onwards, he played a mysterious fellow in the agency of the private detective Laura Holt (Stephanie Zimbalist).

Pierce Brosnan was good-looking and was capable of playing action heroes: These qualities aroused the interest of James Bond producers. But due to his contract with "Remington Steele," the Irish actor had to decline the role when it was first offered to him in the 80s. Instead of playing super agent 007, he portrayed tough guys in films like "The Fourth Protocol," here opposite Michael Caine.

Yet another TV series brought out an until then unknown talent of the Irish actor: his sense of irony. The series "Around the World in 80 Days" (1989) became a hit, not least due to Brosnan's witty performance as Phileas Fogg. He was definitely predestined to play James Bond.

In 1995, Pierce Brosnan finally took on the role of the super agent of the MI6, starring in the 17th movie of the successful 007 series. It was a brilliant performance - not only in various demanding action scenes, but also in love scenes - here with Izabella Scorupco. "GoldenEye" became the most successful Bond film at the time.

In the 1990s, Pierce Brosnan emerged as one of the top stars of the international film world. Next to his performances as agent 007 (here in his second Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies"), the actor also gave his best in numerous other movies.

Not all films starring Pierce Brosnan became box office hits. In this 1997 version of "Robinson Crusoe," rather freely adapted by Daniel Defoe, action scenes were given a lot of prominence. Brosnan was not particularly convincing in the main role.

Brosnan was much better at playing in modern films at the side of attractive women or in luxurious cars. Brosnan not only co-starred with Rene Russo in the elegant crime movie "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999), he was also the producer of the film.

That same year, 1999, Pierce Brosnan depicted James Bond for the third time. In "The World is Not Enough," the character had to put up with a lot of things. But even shackles couldn't restrain Bond's passion for beautiful women - such as here, Sophie Marceau.

"Mamma Mia" is exactly what some viewers probably thought when they watched former James Bond performer Pierce Brosnan in the 2008 musical film "Mamma Mia!" - here with Meryl Streep. Following his last Bond film, "Die Another Day" (2002), Brosnan tried to enlarge his acting spectrum.

The Irish actor offered memorable performances in different films, playing rather cold and highly ambiguous characters. Particularly brilliant was his depiction of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang in "The Ghostwriter," directed by Roman Polanski.

Of course, Pierce Brosnan still profits from his fame as a former Bond performer. But it shouldn't be forgotten that he also gained a lot of recognition for his work in other films. Wherever he goes, he seems to be a welcome guest, such as here at the 2014 Berlin Film Festival.

Whoever assumed that the aging actor, now 63, would now limit himself to playing charming elderly gentlemen, obviously got it wrong. Brosnan continues to play tough and assertive characters in action films. In 2015, he starred in the US spy thriller "The November Man." And now he will receive a European Film Award for his lifetime achievement.