James Bond and The Avengers star Honor Blackman has died at the age of 94, her family has confirmed.
Blackman enjoyed a career spanning eight decades, including roles as Cathy Gale in The Avengers and Pussy Galore in James Bond movie Goldfinger, as well as guest roles in the likes of Coronation Street, Doctor Who and Casualty.
In a statement to The Guardian, her family confirmed that she died of natural causes unrelated to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. "It's with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Honor Blackman aged 94," her family said.
"She died peacefully of natural causes at her home in Lewes, Sussex, surrounded by her family. She was much loved and will be greatly missed by her two children Barnaby and Lottie, and grandchildren Daisy, Oscar, Olive and Toby.
"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," the statement continued.
"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."
Alongside her on-screen career, Blackman also appeared in theatre productions including My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music and Cabaret, as well as her one-woman show Word of Honor.
She was also a member of the Liberal Democrats and turned down a CBE in 2002 as she thought it would be hypocritical to accept it as a republican.
Blackman was married to Bill Sankey from 1948 to 1956 and to Maurice Kaufmann from 1961 to 1975. Blackman and Kaufmann adopted two children together, Lottie and Barnaby.
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Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
