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

TitleRelease DateCharacter
Goldfinger1964-09-20Pussy Galore
A Night to Remember1958-07-03Mrs. Liz Lucas
Jason and the Argonauts1963-06-19Hera
Bond Girls Are Forever2002-11-06Pussy Galore, ‘Goldfinger’ (archive footage)
To the Devil a Daughter1976-03-04Anna
Fright1971-09-18Helen
The Square Peg1958-12-04Lesley Cartland
Shalako1968-09-26Lady Julia Daggett
Bridget Jones’s Diary2001-04-13Penny Husbands-Bosworth
Cockneys vs Zombies2012-08-31Peggy