In Memoriam of Goldfinger's Honor Blackman (1925-2020)

By: Mark Cerulli

Published:
2020-04-06

Coming too soon on the heels of losing our lovely Domino (Claudine Auger), FSWL and Bond fans worldwide are very saddened to hear of Honor Blackman’s passing at age 94. Blackman famously portrayed Pussy Galore in 1964’s iconic James Bond film Goldfinger directed by FSWL supporter Guy Hamilton.

Upon receiving the sad news of Ms. Blackman's passing, James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented:

“Today we mark the passing of a film icon, Honor Blackman who shall forever be remembered as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger. She was an extraordinary talent and a beloved member of the Bond family. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.”

Remembering British actress and icon Honor Blackman

A seasoned actress long before the Bond films came calling, Blackman was well known for playing Cathy Gale in The Avengers TV series, opposite Patrick Macnee. She was also proficient in martial arts – a skill which helped her land the coveted role of Pussy Galore in Goldfinger. As she told the BBC, although she was a Bond fan, she insisted on reading the novel before accepting the iconic part. Once she did, “I was convinced it was absolutely me.”

In 1965 Blackman shared her self-defense knowledge in a book, Honor Blackman’s Book of Self Defense, co-authored with brothers Joe and Doug Robinson. (Joe would go on to portray Peter Franks in 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever.)

Honor Blackman reading Honor Blackman’s Book of Self Defense. Copyright © Andre Deutsch. All rights reserved.

In 1995 after some negotiation with her agent, my partners and I were able to secure an interview with Blackman for the MGM DVD documentary, The Making of Goldfinger. And I was lucky enough to do that interview in London’s Planet Hollywood.

In person, Blackman was smart and confident with a dry sense of British humor. I always remember her discussing her first meeting with Gert Frobe. She noted the filmmakers had been assured of his English- speaking skills, but once on the set his limitations became quite evident. “He could say hello and that was about it.” As Blackman put it, “That didn’t auger well.” (The brilliant Guy Hamilton managed the potential disaster by instructing the actor to speak quickly, then dubbing him throughout the film – a trick that totally worked.)

Even 30 years after Goldfinger, Blackman’s affection for her co-star Sean Connery was apparent and she gushed about his looks and charm.

Sean Connery and Honor Blackman during the filming of Goldfinger. Copyright © Camera Press. All rights reserved.

Blackman’s impressive resume boasts almost 50 feature films, 70 television appearances and a number of theater roles, including her recent one-woman touring show, Honor Blackman As Herself.

Our deepest condolences go out to her family, in particular her children (Barnaby and Lottie) and grandchildren (Daisy, Oscar, Olive and Toby). Fortunately for us, her work will live forever.

FSWL contributor Joe Darlington remembering Honor Blackman in special video:

For more information about Honor Blackman, check out her IMDB profile.

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In Memoriam of Goldfinger's Honor Blackman (1925-2020)

Remembering British actress and icon Honor Blackman

Even 30 years after Goldfinger, Blackman’s affection for her co-star Sean Connery was apparent and she gushed about his looks and charm.

FSWL contributor Joe Darlington remembering Honor Blackman in special video:

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