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Vale: Honor Blackman

British actress Honor Blackman, best known for The Avengers & James Bond movies, has died.

British actress Honor Blackman, best known for The Avengers and James Bond movies, has died aged 94.

She died of natural causes unrelated to coronavirus.

“It’s with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Honor Blackman, aged 94. She died peacefully of natural causes at her home in Lewes, Sussex, surrounded by her family. She was much loved and will be greatly missed by her two children Barnaby and Lottie, and grandchildren Daisy, Oscar, Olive and Toby,” a family statement said.

“As well as being a much-adored mother and grandmother, Honor was an actor of hugely prolific creative talent; with an extraordinary combination of beauty, brains and physical prowess, along with her unique voice and a dedicated work ethic, she achieved an unparalleled iconic status in the world of film and entertainment and with absolute commitment to her craft and total professionalism in all her endeavours she contributed to some of the great films and theatre productions of our times.”

Blackman had a career spanning eight decades, including starring as Cathy Gale in The Avengers with Patrick Macnee in 1963. She had to learn judo for the role, and her tough persona allied to then daring costume choices – boots and figure-hugging catsuits. It even led to a hit single, Kinky Boots.

She left the show for her signature role – Pussy Galore – the glamorous villain assisting in Goldfinger in 1964.

Other credits included A Night to Remember, The Four Just Men, Shalako, The Virgin and the Gypsy, Jason and the Argonauts, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Columbo, Minder, Doctor Who, The Upper Hand, Casualty, New Tricks, Robin’s Nest, Boney, Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders and By Any Means.

Tributes poured in for Blackman, with Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli calling her a “film icon … who shall forever be remembered as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger”. They added: “She was an extraordinary talent and a beloved member of the Bond family. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.”

Source: The Guardian

6 Responses

  1. I was reading about the impact of the The Avengers yesterday and came across Kinky Boots. I managed to catch some of S2 & 3 of The Avengers on Foxtel in the late 90s.

  2. Honor Blackman was the classic Bond girl villain, modern, ruthless, dangerous and fully aware of her sexual powers with both men and women. For me Honor was an icon of the early Bond movie era she contributed in no small way to the James Bond movie legacy and its long term success, which may sadly now be coming to an end.

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