‘James Bond’ Franchise Stars Who Are No Longer With Us

The James Bond film franchise has spanned over six decades and introduced audiences to some of the most iconic actors in cinematic history. While the character of 007 is famous for his immortality on screen many of the legendary performers who brought the series to life have passed away. From the men who played the secret agent to the recurring cast members and memorable villains these actors left an indelible mark on popular culture. Their contributions continue to be celebrated by fans around the world who revisit their classic performances in the long running series.

Robert Shaw

Robert Shaw played the formidable assassin Red Grant in the 1963 film ‘From Russia with Love’. He is remembered for the intense train compartment fight scene which remains one of the most celebrated action sequences in the series. Shaw died on August 28, 1978, while driving in western Ireland. He suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away at the age of 51. His physically imposing presence and chilling performance helped define the archetype of the Bond henchman.

Bernard Lee

Bernard Lee portrayed the character M in the first eleven films of the series starting with ‘Dr. No’ in 1962. He remained a constant presence through ‘Moonraker’ and provided the authoritative guidance that defined the head of MI6. Lee died on January 16, 1981, after being hospitalized for several weeks. His official cause of death was stomach cancer which prevented him from appearing in the next installment. The franchise honored his legacy by leaving the role of M vacant for the subsequent film.

Harold Sakata

Harold Sakata portrayed the iconic character Oddjob in the 1964 film ‘Goldfinger’. The former Olympic weightlifter became famous for his deadly steel rimmed bowler hat and silent but menacing demeanor. Sakata passed away on July 29, 1982, at a hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. He had been battling liver cancer and was 62 years old at the time of his death. His contribution to the franchise created one of the most recognizable villains in movie history.

David Niven

David Niven starred as the retired Sir James Bond in the 1967 spoof version of ‘Casino Royale’. He was an established Hollywood star who brought a sophisticated and witty charm to the alternative 007 project. Niven passed away on July 29, 1983, at his home in Switzerland. He had been suffering from motor neurone disease for some time before his death. His performance remains a distinct part of the wider cinematic history of the character.

Gert Fröbe

Gert Fröbe is best known for his role as the titular villain Auric Goldfinger in the 1964 film ‘Goldfinger’. He provided one of the most memorable performances in the history of the franchise as the gold obsessed industrialist. Fröbe passed away on September 5, 1988, in Munich, Germany, following a heart attack. He was 75 years old at the time and had enjoyed a successful career in European cinema. His portrayal set the benchmark for all future Bond villains who sought to dominate the world.

Desmond Llewelyn

Desmond Llewelyn played the iconic quartermaster Q in seventeen official films beginning with ‘From Russia with Love’. He was beloved by fans for his portrayal of the long suffering gadget expert who equipped Bond for every mission. Llewelyn died on December 19, 1999, following a massive car accident in East Sussex. He was 85 years old and had just completed promotional work for ‘The World Is Not Enough’. His decades of service to the franchise made him one of the most recognizable figures in film history.

Lois Maxwell

Lois Maxwell originated the role of Miss Moneypenny and appeared alongside the first three lead actors in fourteen films. She played the character from ‘Dr. No’ in 1962 until ‘A View to a Kill’ in 1985. Maxwell passed away on September 29, 2007, at a hospital in Western Australia. She had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and succumbed to the illness at the age of 80. Her playful banter with Bond remains a hallmark of the classic era of the series.

Richard Kiel

Richard Kiel gained worldwide fame for playing the towering villain Jaws in ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ and ‘Moonraker’. He was one of the few henchmen to appear in multiple films due to the immense popularity of his character. Kiel died on September 10, 2014, at a medical center in California. His death was caused by acute heart failure which occurred shortly after he was hospitalized for a leg injury. He stood over seven feet tall and left a lasting impression on the history of movie villains.

Roger Moore

Roger Moore took over the lead role in 1973 and starred in seven films including ‘Live and Let Die’ and ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’. He is often remembered for bringing a suave and humorous sensibility to the character of 007. Moore passed away on May 23, 2017, after a brief battle with cancer in Switzerland. He was 89 years old at the time of his passing and was praised for his extensive humanitarian work. His long tenure helped ensure the survival and growth of the franchise through the 1970s and 1980s.

Honor Blackman

Honor Blackman achieved international stardom as Pussy Galore in the 1964 film ‘Goldfinger’. She was already well known for her role in the television series ‘The Avengers’ before joining the Bond universe. Blackman died on April 5, 2020, at her home in East Sussex from natural causes. She was 94 years old and was remembered as one of the strongest and most independent Bond girls in the history of the series. Her performance helped make her one of the most iconic figures of the 1960s.

Diana Rigg

Diana Rigg played the character Teresa di Vicenzo in the 1969 film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. She remains unique as the only woman to marry James Bond in the history of the franchise. Rigg died on September 10, 2020, at her home in London after being diagnosed with cancer earlier that year. She was 82 years old and was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing. Her performance is widely regarded as one of the most emotional and significant in the series.

Sean Connery

Sean Connery was the first actor to play James Bond on the big screen and defined the role for millions of fans. He appeared in seven films in total including the seminal classics ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘From Russia with Love’. Connery passed away on October 31, 2020, at his residence in the Bahamas. His cause of death was listed as pneumonia and heart failure resulting from advanced age. The legendary actor was 90 years old and had retired from the film industry many years prior to his death.

Yaphet Kotto

Yaphet Kotto starred as the primary antagonist Dr. Kananga and his alter ego Mr. Big in the 1973 film ‘Live and Let Die’. He was the first Black lead villain in the Bond series and brought a commanding authority to the role. Kotto died on March 14, 2021, in the Philippines at the age of 81. While no specific cause of death was publicly released his wife confirmed his passing in a social media statement. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career in film and television following his appearance in the 007 universe.

Please share which of these James Bond legends was your favorite in the comments.