Honor Blackman, the “Goldfinger” Bond girl known for her memorable name Pussy Galore, died in Sussex, England at the age of 94, reports The Guardian.
The statement sent by the Blackman family to The Guardian says Blackman died of natural causes and was in the presence of her family when she passed away. Blackman is survived by her two children and four grandchildren.
Blackman’s family described her as a “much-adored mother and grandmother” that had “beauty, brains and physical prowess.” The family’s statement also emphasized her “iconic status” as an actress on films and television.
Aside from her unforgettable turn as Pussy Galore in the 1964 Bond film “Goldfinger,” Blackman also played the goddess Hera in “Jason and the Argonauts.” She also played the character Cathy Gale on the popular television show “The Avengers” as well as Laura West on the sitcom “The Upper Hand.”
According to Vanity Fair, Blackman relished the double entendre that came with the character Pussy Galore. She considered it “tongue in cheek” and made fun of people who took the name seriously. That said, Blackman did not like being called a Bond girl, insisting that Pussy Galore was a great character whatever movie she was in.
Blackman’s colleagues in the entertainment industry paid tribute to her as soon as news of her passing was made known.
According to Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. William, producers of the Bond films, Blackman was a “film icon,” an “extraordinary talent and a beloved member of the Bond family.”
Her “The Upper Hand” co-star, Joe McGann, said she was “fiercely bright, superbly funny and a wonderful actress.”
Blackman’s family also made sure to mention that the actress died of natural causes, as the United Kingdom is currently grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. Among British celebrities, comedian Eddie Large has already passed away from the coronavirus while musician and actress Marianne Faithfull has tested positive.
The Guardian reports that 51,608 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. The number of people who have died from COVID-19 in the United Kingdom is now at 5,373. The government of the United Kingdom also imposed a lockdown that has resulted in the closure of bars, restaurants, and schools all over the country.
Globally, the World Health Organization situation report for Apr. 6 puts the number of confirmed coronavirus cases at 1,210,956 people. The number of new confirmed cases is at 77,200. Deaths caused by the coronavirus is now at 67,594, with new deaths numbering at 4,810.