George Lazenby remembers Bond Girl Mona Chong (1945-2017)

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2017-10-13

Mona Chong On Her Majestys Secret Service

FSWL is sad to report the passing of Mona Chong (1945-2017), British-Chinese actress who portrayed the Chinese girl opposite George Lazenby's James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), aged 72. Our thoughts now go to Mona's family and friends.

Mona Chong, born in Singapore, was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother. A beautiful sister, aunt and friend who will be sorely missed.

Her most active years as an actress ranged between the mid-1960s until the mid-1970s when she decided to retire and raise a family.

Having appeared mostly in British productions opposite screen legens like Patrick McGoohan, Oliver Reed and Orson Welles, Mona also worked on the acclaimed Danish-Swedish co-production Människor möts och ljuv musik uppstår i härtat (1967, People Meet) directed by Henning Carlsen and starring Swedish actress Harriet Andersson. Her most famous film role is without doubt the one in On Her Majesty's Secret Service directed by Peter Hunt.

Mona is survived by her husband, Dr Neville Bass (founder of Bass Orthodontics in London), and two sons, Alex & Anton Bass.

George Lazenby & the Bond girls in On Her Majesty's Secret Service remembers Mona Chong

"Mona was an Angel, she was there for everyone. I wish her a wonder flight home. Love George"

"Whilst involved with OHMSS I formed a very close bond with Mona, and enjoyed many good times in her company. After many years we reunited, continuing our friendship, whilst enjoying ourselves on holiday. Although Mona was in ill health, she had an incredible 'zest for life', and a wonderful enjoyment of good company, and good times together. She was very caring, and a joy to be with. She is sadly missed, and will always be remembered." – Sylvana Henriques, The Jamaican Girl

Sylvana Henriques and Mona Chong playing bowling during the filming of OHMSS in Switzerland.

"I remember Mona as being inordinately proud of her 'Boys'. Nev and her two sons were her world, and they cherished her. On the film set she was asked to eat her rice with chop sticks (something not everyone had tried back in the 1960's) and with a cheeky smile she said that she could eat the way she would at home e.g. with the bowl up to her mouth with a scooping action, or one grain at a time!! Mona may have seemed quite shy but with 'Les Girls' she was charming, mischievous and great fun." – Jenny Hanley, The Irish Girl

Mona Chong, Jenny Hanley and George Lazenby in the Bond film. Copyright © 1969 Danjaq S.A. & United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

"How sad to get the news about Mona. I did not know her very well but remember her as a beautiful, kind, quiet girl who liked to laugh. I feel very sorry for her family as I'm sure she will be greatly missed." – Catherine Schell, Nancy, The Hungarian Girl

Mona Chong, Catherine Schell and George Lazenby in Switzerland

Mona Chong, Catherine Schell and George Lazenby in Switzerland

George Lazenby with Blofeld's Angels of Death girls on location in Switzerland including Catherine Schell & Jenny Hanley.

“Mona was always happy smiling and easy to talk to. I love her scenes at Piz Gloria with all the Angels of Death girls. Great people. RIP Mona, you are not forgotten.” – Terry Mountain

Other films Mona worked on included
1969: The Assassination Bureau, Madame directed by Basil Dearden (Bond alumni Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Curd Jürgens and Vernon Dobtcheff also appeared in this film)
1968: Koroshi directed by Michael Truman and Peter Yates (Burt Kwouk also appeared in this film)
1967: I'll Never Forget What's'isname directed by Michael Winner (Edward Fox also appeared in this film)
1967: The Vengeance of Fu Manchu directed by Jeremy Summers (Christopher Lee, Douglas Wilmer and Tsai Chin also appeared in this film)

Television
1972: Jason King directed by Cyril Frankel (Burt Kwouk also appeared in Mona's episode)
1969: The Worker directed by Paul Annett
1969: The Contenders directed by Graham Evans
1969: W. Somerset Maugham directed by John Frankau (Julian Glover also appeared in Mona's episode)
1967: Who Is Sylvia?
1965-1967: John Drake directed by Peter Yates (Francesca Tu and Burt Kwouk also appeared in one of Mona's episodes)
1966: Adam Adamant Lives! directed by Leonard Lewis (Yuri Borienko and Margaret Nolan also appeared in Mona's episode)
1966: The Troubleshooters directed by Terence Dudley (Tsai Chin also appeared in Mona's episode)
1965: Licensed to Kill directed by Lindsay Shonteff

Editor's Note
To help preserve the memory of Mona Chong, her family welcomes a donation via Just Giving to help benefit the works of Médecins Sans Frontières (UK).

Copyright © 2017 From Sweden with Love. All rights reserved.

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George Lazenby remembers Bond Girl Mona Chong (1945-2017)

George Lazenby & the Bond girls in On Her Majesty's Secret Service remembers Mona Chong

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