In 1953 James Bond was created by novelist Ian Fleming and the franchise went on to make 27 films and counting about the British secret agent working for MI6.
Also known as 007, Bond was portrayed by a number of iconic actors, including Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
Over the years many actors have been cast to star in the films, and tragically many have died in real-life.
From horror car crashes to losing their battles with cancer, here are the James Bond stars who have sadly passed away in the real world.
Roger Moore
Rooger Moore played James Bond (Image: Liverpool Echo)
On May 23, 2017, Roger’s family confirmed he had died from prostate cancer at age 89.
Roger, who played Bond for seven feature films between 1973 and 1985, died at his home in Crans-Montana, surrounded by his family.
He played the iconic part for 12 years and was the oldest ever Bond being aged 45 for his first Bond Film Live and Let Die, and 58-years-old when he announced he was retiring from the role.
Honor Blackman
Honor Blackman played Pussy Calore (Image: Getty Images)
On April 5, 2020, the Bond girl died at her home in Lewes, East Sussex, from natural causes at the age of 94.
She played Bond girl Pussy Calore in Goldfinger in 1964 opposite Sean Connery.
At 38, she was one of the oldest actresses to play a Bond girl, and was five years older than Sean.
Bryan Marshall
Bryan Marshall played Commander Talbot (Image: Daily Record)
On June 25, 2019, Bryan died at the age of 81, and no cause was ever given for his death.
He actor was best known for playing Commander Talbot in James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore as Bond.
His character was captured at the beginning of the movie before being rescued by 007.
Desmond Llewelyn
Desmond Llewelyn played Q (Image: Getty Images)
On December 19, 1999, Desmond tragically died after he was driving home alone from a book signing event when he was involved in a head-on collision.
Despite attention from a doctor called to the scene and being taken by helicopter to Eastbourne District General Hospital, he died shortly thereafter at the age of 85.
The other driver was seriously injured and a later inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death.
He was most known as Q in 17 of the James Bond films between 1963 and 1999.
Lois Maxwell
Lois Maxwell played Miss Moneypenny (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
On September 29, 2007, Lois died aged 80 following surgery for bowel cancer a few years earlier.
She played Miss Moneypenny in all the first fourteen Eon-produced James Bond films from 1962 to 1985 and was the first actress to play the part.
The films in which she played Miss Moneypenny were Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), and A View to a Kill (1985).
Bernard Lee
Bernard Lee played M
In November 1980 Lee was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital in London, suffering from stomach cancer.
He died there on January 16, 1981, just six days after his 73rd birthday.
In 1962 Lee was cast as the character M, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)—and the superior of James Bond—in the first Eon Productions film, Dr. No.
A number of Bond scholars have noted that Lee’s interpretation of the character was in line with the original literary representation.
Claudine Auger
Claudine Auger played Dominique “Domino” Derval (Image: REUTERS)
On December 18, 2019, the Bond girl died following a lengthy illness at the age of 78.
In her younger days, she starred as Bond girl, Dominique “Domino” Derval, in the James Bond film Thunderball (1965).
When she was on holiday in Nassau, writer-producer Kevin McClory saw her and recommended that she audition for his film Thunderball, despite the role originally to be for an Italian woman.
The role was changed to be French just for Claudine.
Tania Mallet
Tania Mallet played Tilly Masterson (Image: Getty Images)
On March 30, 2019, Tania died at the age of 77, but the reason behind her death was never disclosed to her fans.
She played Bond girl Tilly Masterson in Goldfinger and was working as a model when she was cast by producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli – a world she ultimately returned to and prioritised over film.
The role ultimately saw her slain on screen by the steel-rimmed hat of Goldfinger’s henchman Oddjob, despite Bond’s best efforts to save her.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
