High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Bernard Lee (10 January 1908 – 16 January 1981) was an English actor who performed in many light entertainment media, including film, television and theatre. His career spanned from 1934 to 1981, beginning on stage at the age of six. He was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and is best known for playing M in the first eleven Eon-produced James Bond films.