British actress Honor Blackman, best known for her portrayal of Cathy Gale on television’s The Avengers and Bond girl Pussy Galore in Goldfinger, has died aged 94.
The actor became a household name in the 1960s for her role as the tough, leather-clad crimefighter in the second season of the hit British show The Avengers in 1962 alongside Patrick Macnee as John Steed. Blackman’s bold costume choices, proficiency for martial arts – having learned judo for the role- and her icy good looks saw her rising quickly to star status.
With a career spanning eight decades, Blackman first won recognition for her performance as Elizabeth Taylor’s friend in 1949 spy tale Conspirator, then taking on roles in A Night to Remember (1958) and Jason and the Argonauts (1963) before becoming an icon in the form of Cathy Gale.
Exiting the show after two seasons, in December 1963, going on to star as glamorous villain Pussy Galore the third James Bond film and major global hit, Goldfinger, in 1964.
From often being cast in demure roles in 1940s films such as Daughter of Darkness, Quartet and A Boy, A Girl and a Bike, Blackman transformed into the fascinating Pussy Galore, the hench-woman leader of an all-woman flying-display team
The London native, who was a goddess to her fans and an “ adored mother and grandmother” to her family passed away peacefully at her home in Lewes, Sussex, surrounded by her loved ones.
Despite the timing of death and initial rumors, the iconic actress’s death is unrelated to the coronavirus, with her family telling the Guardian that she “died of natural causes.”
Speaking highly of her brilliant talents, in their statement to the Guardian, her family added that Blackman achieved her unparalleled status in the world of film and entertainment with beauty, brains and a dedicated work ethic and that she would be dearly missed by her two children Barnaby and Lottie, and four grandchildren Daisy, Oscar, Olive, and Toby.
Tributes have been pouring in for Honor Blackman who charmed audiences with her sense of humor, commitment, and charisma.