James Bond star Honor Blackman has died at the age of 94, it has been confirmed.
Honor’s family have confirmed that her death was caused by natural causes and is unrelated to the current coronavirus pandemic.
Paying tribute, her family called her an “adored mother and grandmother” who was “an extraordinary combination of beauty, brains and physical prowess”.
In a statement to the Guardian, her family said: “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.
Honor Blackman has died at the age of 94 (Image: Getty Images)
“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.”
The British rose is most known for her roles as Bond girl Pussy Galore in James Bond Goldfinger in 1964, and for playing Cathy Gale in The Avengers from 1962 to 1964.
She also starred as Julia Daggett in Shalako, in 1968, and Hera in Jason and the Argonauts, in 1963.
She was most known for playing Pussy Galore in James Bond Goldfinger in 1964 (Image: Getty Images)
Honor is also notable for her role as Laura West in the ITV sitcom The Upper Hand, which ran from 1990 until 1996.
She leaves behind her two adopted children, Lottie who was born in 1967, and Barnaby, 1968.
She adopted the pair with her second husband British actor Maurice Kaufmann, the pair were wed from 1961 until they divorced in 1975.
Prior to Maurice, Honor was married to Bill Sankey from 1948 to 1956.
Following her second divorce, she never remarried and stated she preferred being single.
During her lengthy career in showbiz, it was Honor’s talent at judo which particularly helped her with her roles in James Bond and The Avengers.
Honor’s family confirmed she died of natural causes (Image: PA)
In the 1960s she practised judo at the famous Budokwai dojo which helped her greatly in the two roles.
She was also the oldest actress to ever play a Bond girl as she starred as Pussy Galore when she was 38 years old.
Honor’s other film credits include Quartet (1948), So Long at the Fair (1950), A Night to Remember (1958), the comedy The Square Peg (1958), Life at the Top (1965), The Virgin and the Gypsy (1970), and Brigitte Bardot and Something Big (1971).
She played Hera in Jason and the Argonauts (1963), and had roles in the films Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) and Jack Brown and the Curse of the Crown (also 2001).
Following the news, Honor’s fans have rushed to Twitter to pay tribute to the actress.
One tweeted: “Absolutely devastated to learn of #HonorBlackman’s death at the age of 94. An absolute gem of a woman, she was amazing on and off screen. No words. RIP.”
A second said: “Honor Blackman has left us. Avenger. Iconic Bond girl with the honeyed voice and unforgettable name. Fine comic actress. National Treasure. And when I interviewed her some years back an absolute delight. Farewell and thank you #HonorBlackman.”
“So sad to hear that #HonorBlackman has passed away. I fell in love with her on The Upper Hand. And then there’s Professor Lasky…” said another.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
