Ian Fleming, who wrote the James Bond series, died 50 years ago Tuesday -- but his famous spy lives on, saving the day and downing martinis (shaken, not stirred, of course).
To create the Bond character, Fleming reportedly pulled from his own military career; it was also rumored that he had a penchant for drinking, women and cigarettes, just like Bond, according to Fleming's official website.
SEE ALSO: What Have Guys Named 'James Bond' Done For a Living?
After short careers as a journalist and a stock broker, Fleming worked as the personal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence during WWII. He traveled the world and, due to his access to confidential information, couldn't talk much about his time in the war, but some of the real life spies he encountered inspired the Bond series, according to the official website.
Fleming's first Bond novel, Casino Royale, was released in 1953 and was an instant hit. That early success lead him to write 11 books and two collections of short stories that quickly spread around the world. Even President Kennedy was a fan, according to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
After Fleming's death, other writers became a part of legendary series -- there are now many official Bond books by six different people, covering everything from 007's childhood to other members of his MI6 team.
But, of course, Bond's fame wouldn't be what is it without the six heartthrobs who played Bond on screen throughout the decades. Check them out below.
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Bonus fact: Ian Fleming also wrote the children's book Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang, which was later adapted into a movie, for his son Casper. Yep, the same guy created the iconic spy wrote a children's book about a magic, flying car.
