Daniel Craig Called Out Stephen Colbert For Mispronouncing His Name — And You’ve Probably Been Saying It Wrong As Well

Ellen Durney
·3-min read

You know Daniel Craig. He’s Benoit Blanc, he’s Rachel Weisz’s husband, and, perhaps most famously of all, he was James Bond.

Daniel Craig poses at a film festival in a white shirt against a backdrop with a festival logo
Stefania D'alessandro / WireImage

And while reading that first line in your head, you probably pronounced his last name in one of two ways — “Crayg” or “Cregg.”

Daniel Craig in a tailored suit with tinted glasses stands in front of a "Queer" themed backdrop
Eric Charbonneau / A24 via Getty Images

If you’re British, you presumably read it the first way. And if you’re from the States, it's more likely you went for the second option.

Daniel Craig in a tuxedo and bow tie, wearing sunglasses, at a formal event
Gilbert Flores / Variety via Getty Images

However, there is a correct answer here. And Daniel is very keen to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Daniel Craig in a tailored suit with a pocket square, smiling against a curtain backdrop
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for National Board of Review

Appearing on The Late Show last night to promote his new movie, Queer, the 007 star suddenly highjacked the interview to inform Stephen Colbert that he’s been pronouncing his name wrong for many years.

Daniel Craig in a tailored suit is sitting on a talk show set, appearing attentive during a conversation
Daniel Craig in a tailored suit is sitting on a talk show set, appearing attentive during a conversation
Stephen Colbert in a suit and tie on a talk show set, sitting and speaking, with cityscape visible through a window in the background
Stephen Colbert in a suit and tie on a talk show set, sitting and speaking, with cityscape visible through a window in the background

CBS / YouTube / Via youtu.be

“I have a bone to pick with you,” Daniel said, acknowledging that this is his sixth appearance on the CBS talk show. “Say my name,” he asked.

Slightly startled, Stephen obliged and said his name, pronouncing it “Crayg,” to which Daniel said skeptically: “Now you’re doing it right.”

Stephen asked if he’d been guilty of saying “Cregg” in the past, which prompted Daniel to give a quick lesson in phonics.

Daniel Craig in a gray suit and white shirt looking frustrated while sitting on a talk show set

As Stephen struggled to grasp the concept, Daniel sounded it out even more clearly. “Daniel Crayg. Daniel Cregg. You don’t hear the difference?” he said.

Daniel Craig in a suit speaks animatedly on a late-night talk show, seated opposite Stephen Colbert.

Eventually, the host began to follow, realizing the error in his pronunciation. “Oooh, I hear the difference,” he said, taking a moment to apologize. “That is subtle. That is a subtle difference, and I apologize.”

Stephen Colbert in a suit and glasses sits thoughtfully on a talk show set, gesturing with their hand while listening intently

Luckily, Daniel seemed happy to forgive and forget as Stephen lamented over the fact that he’d been getting it wrong for so many years.

Daniel Craig and Stephen Cobert sitting and laughing on a late-night talk show set, with a cityscape visible in the background

OK, be honest. How many of you have been getting it wrong, too? Feel free to confess in the comments section — I won’t judge. You can watch the full clip from The Late Show here.

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