LEGENDARY JAMES Bond star Honor Blackman has died, aged 94.
Blackman, who was best known for playing Pussy Galore in the 1964 007 classic Goldfinger, passed away from natural causes surrounded by family at her home in Lewes, Sussex.
A groundbreaking actress, Blackman first found international fame as John Steed’s first female partner, Cathy Gale, on the hit TV series The Avengers.
That part led on to her iconic role alongside Sean Connery in Goldfinger, which saw Blackman become one of the oldest actresses to ever play a Bond Girl at 38.
Born in Plaistow, East London in 1925, Blackman developed a passion for the performing arts after her parents gifted her acting lessons for her 15th birthday.
After training at the legendary Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1940, Blackman went on to enjoy a long career on the stage and screen.
In a moving statement, her family paid tribute to Blackman as an “adored mother and grandmother”.
"She was much loved and will be greatly missed by her two children Barnaby and Lottie, and grandchildren Daisy, Oscar, Olive and Toby, the statement read.
"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.”
