Honor Blackman

Honor Blackman was a British actress who is best known for her roles in “Goldfinger,” “The Avengers,” and “Jason and the Argonauts.” Her career spanned several decades, making her an iconic figure in film and television.

Personal and Family Life

Born on August 22, 1925, in Plaistow, London, England, Honor was one of four children in her family. She received elocution lessons at her own request as a gift for her 16th birthday and later attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. During World War II, she served as a dispatch rider, contributing to the war effort. Blackman was married twice, first to Walter Ernest Sankey and later to Maurice Kaufmann, with whom she adopted two children, Lottie and Barnaby.

Career

Honor Blackman began her acting career on stage in London’s West End and transitioned to film with her debut in “Fame Is the Spur” in 1947. She gained fame for her portrayal of the strong-willed character Cathy Gale in the television series “The Avengers,” which made her a feminist icon of the 1960s. Her performance as Pussy Galore in the James Bond film “Goldfinger” further cemented her status in pop culture. Throughout her career, she worked in a variety of films, television shows, and stage productions.

Death and Legacy

Honor Blackman passed away on April 5, 2020, in Lewes, East Sussex, England, due to natural causes at the age of 94. Her contributions to theater, television, and film have left a lasting legacy, and she is remembered as a trailblazer for women in the entertainment industry.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Goldfinger 1964-09-20 Pussy Galore
A Night to Remember 1958-07-03 Mrs. Liz Lucas
Jason and the Argonauts 1963-06-19 Hera
Bond Girls Are Forever 2002-11-06 Pussy Galore, ‘Goldfinger’ (archive footage)
To the Devil a Daughter 1976-03-04 Anna
Fright 1971-09-18 Helen
The Square Peg 1958-12-04 Lesley Cartland
Shalako 1968-09-26 Lady Julia Daggett
Bridget Jones’s Diary 2001-04-13 Penny Husbands-Bosworth
Cockneys vs Zombies 2012-08-31 Peggy