Tabloid silliness: Bond’s gray hair

If Daniel Craig is the first film Bond with gray hair, what is this? Oh, the gray on the temples is Connery’s own, not his hairpiece.

This month, the Mirror had a breathless story with a headline that declared: “Daniel Craig is the first ever James Bond to have grey hair in new 007 film.” It was also labeled “Exclusive.”

Really? Are you sure?

Even if it was true, such a story hardly merits being called an exclusive. In this case, it’s not even true.

Exhibit A: 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever. Sean Connery made a one-film return to the Eon Productions 007 film series. While his gray hair may vary from scene to scene, the actor had gray hair. That includes gray hair at his temples (his own hair and not part of his hairpiece).

Connery’s gray would be more noticeable in 1983’s Never Say Never Again, which wasn’t part of the Eon series. Bond fans often refer to non-Eon productions as “unofficial.” But you don’t even have to go there. Diamonds has a Bond with gray hair.

Nevertheless, the Mirror went nuts.

Craig returns as 007 in No Time To Die, his final outing as the super-spy.

And he becomes the first James Bond with grey hair.

Despite efforts to cover them up, the actor’s silver strands clearly shine through in a couple of shots in the trailer.

The article referenced Diamonds, saying Connery used hair dye to try to hide gray streaks.

All of this is pretty silly, of course. Still, the story has been making the rounds on social media. Whatever.