Even though we haven’t seen James Bond in decades, the franchise remains as iconic as any action series can be. We’re confident that most Bond fans will agree that the films would not have been the same without all of the Bond girls. There is always a lot of interest in the latest Bond girl, no matter how popular Agent 007 is. Most of the time, the role provided them with a huge break that allowed them to launch a much more successful career. Let’s take a look back in time to see where they are now.
Eunice Gayson
Eunice Gayson has a lot to do with the rise of the Bond girl. Dr. No and From Russia with Love were the first two films in the series in which we saw her. She was originally cast to play Ms. Moneypenny, but she ended up playing Sylvia Trench instead. The studio considered making her a recurring character but decided against it later. In any case, she will always be regarded as a legend in our eyes.
Take A Walk Down Memory Lane By Checking Out Our Favorite Bond Girls
Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress is widely considered to be the first Bond Girl. With that jaw-dropping ocean scene, she cemented her place in the role! She was stunning in every way. Her portrayal of her character was also terrific. Halle Berry nodded to the scene in question in Die Another Day a few decades later.
Eunice Gayson
Daniela Bianchi
Daniela Bianchi, who was born in Italy, rose to prominence as a model and beauty queen. Her beauty helped her land a few film roles in France and her native country. Tatiana Romanova from Russia with Love, on the other hand, was her true big break. She co-starred with Eunice Gayson in the film. She went on to land more acting roles after her appearance in the franchise.
Ursula Andress
Shirley Eaton
Shirley Eaton was already a well-known actress before landing a role in the franchise. She remained a part of the scene until 1969. Even though she was only on the show for a short time, it was one of the most memorable. In Goldfinger, she was entirely painted in gold. For many Bond fans, this is the best film in the franchise. She was so famous that she was featured on the cover of LIFE magazine in November 1964.
Daniela Bianchi
Honor Blackman
Honor Blackman made her film debut in 1947 with the film Fame is the Spur. She starved in shows like The Avengers and Jason and the Argonauts on television and films. She was cast to play another Bond girl as a result of her role in the first film. She joined the cast of Goldfinger, the franchise’s third installment. Pussy Galore was brought to life by her, as true fans of the series will already know. She became a cinephile icon thanks to her acting chops and the ridiculous character name.
Shirley Eaton
Claudine Auger
This French actress got her start in the fashion industry as a model. Claudine Auger made a name for herself as a beauty queen, winning Miss France Monde and coming in second place at Miss World in 1958. She landed a couple of minor film roles that put her on the map. She starred as Dominique “Domino” Derval in the film Thunderball in 1965. She continued to act well into the 1990s.
Honor Blackman
Luciana Paluzzi
Luciana Paluzzi was born in Rome in 1937. She had a great acting resume before she was cast to play a Bond girl, unlike most women on the list. She starred as Fiona Volpe in Thunderball in 1965. Even though she did not star in a major motion picture, she continued to act until the 1980s.
Claudine Auger
Akiko Wakabayashi
Akiko Wakabayashi was a relatively unknown Japanese actress in the 1950s and 1960s. When she landed a role in King Kong vs. Godzilla in 1962, everything changed for her. She was then cast in a supporting role in You Only Live Twice as a minor character. As the first Bond girl of non-European ancestry, she made history. Even though it was a success, she decided to leave the aforementioned role.
Luciana Paluzzi
Diana Rigg
Another Bond girl made an appearance in the British version of The Avengers. She was Emma Peel on the TV show from 1965 to 1968. It paved the way for her acting career, eventually landing her a role as a Bond girl. In 1969, she was cast as Countess Teresa di Vicenzo, Agent 007’s wife in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. If you’re curious about her recent activities, she starred as Olenna Tyrell in HBO’s popular fantasy series Game of Thrones.
Akiko Wakabayashi
Lana Wood
Is she a familiar face to you? If that’s the case, it could be because Lana Wood is Natalie Wood’s younger sister, who died in mysterious circumstances at the height of her fame. The younger woman also made her mark in Hollywood, appearing in several TV shows and films. Diamonds Are Forever, released in 1971, was her first attempt at being a Bond girl. She was cast to play Plenty O’Toole in the film. She is currently working as a producer and actress in the industry.
Lana Wood
Jill St. John
Jill St. John appeared in Diamonds Are Forever alongside Lana Wood. Tiffany Cas was her character’s name. The Los Angeles native began her acting career in the 1960s and continued to work until the 1990s. She did not, however, land another major role after the Bond film. Although diamonds are said to last a lifetime, not all acting careers do.
Jill St. John
Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour was one of the most well-known faces in the James Bond series when it first began. She enchanted everyone who watched Live and Let Die as Solitaire. As you are probably aware, she has had a successful career in both television and film. She was cast in Wedding Crashers and Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, among other projects. She is a gifted actress who has won Golden Globe and Emmy awards.
Jane Seymour
Gloria Hendry
As the first African-American actress to play a Bond Girl, she made history. Gloria Hendry starred alongside Jane Seymour in the film Live and Let Die. In the role of Rosie Carver, a CIA agent, she showed her acting skills. Unfortunately, this did not lead to Hollywood stardom. She didn’t get any more acting roles outside of the James Bond franchise, in fact.
Gloria Hendry
Maud Adams
Only European beauties were cast as Bond girls for a long time. They then cast a slew of American actresses and models to play the part. Not once, but twice, Maud Adams brought a European flair to the series. Andrea Anders’ version of The Man with the Golden Gun featured her in a minor role. She returned to the series in 1983, playing Octopussy in the film of the same name.
Maud Adams
Britt Ekland
It appears that The Man with the Golden Gun required a large number of Swedes! In addition to Maud Adams, Britt Ekland made an appearance in the film. However, she had a successful acting career before this. She portrayed Mary Goodnight, James Bond’s assistant, in the film. This only increased her fame and success. Until the 1990s, the actress remained active in the film industry.
Britt Ekland
Barbara Bach
Barbara Bach dropped out of high school to pursue her dream of becoming a model. She first appeared in several European films before catching the attention of a James Bond producer. She got the part of Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Me because of this. We’re curious if this helped her catch the attention of Ringo Starr, a Beatles member. In 1981, the two of them married.
Barbara Bach
Lois Chiles
Lois Chiles’ natural beauty drew the attention of modeling agents while she was attending university in Texas. She began a modeling career in the early 1970s, which led to a couple of minor film roles. She also starred in several major films, including Death on the Nile and The Great Gatsby. She landed a role in Moonraker as a result of their success. She joined the ranks of other Bond girls when she played Dr. Holly Goodhead in the film.
Lois Chiles
Corinne Cléry
This French-born actress had a long and successful acting career in Europe. Corinne Clery has appeared in over 50 films and television shows, according to IMDb. In the United States, she is best known for her role as Corinne Dufour in Moonraker. She played Hugo Drax’s assistant, who is the story’s main antagonist, in the 1979 Bond film.
Corinne Cléry
Denise Richards
Denise Richards is best known for being the ex-wife of controversial actor Charlie Sheen. But don’t forget that she’s a fantastic actress in her own right! She has appeared in several notable films and television shows, including Wild Things, Seinfeld, Starship Troopers, and Melrose Place. Her most famous role, however, is as a Bond Girl, in our opinion. In the film The World Is Not Enough, she played Christmas Jones and gave a memorable performance.
Denise Richards
Lynn-Holly Johnson
Lynn-Holly Johnson dreamed of becoming a world-class figure skater. She was even able to bag the silver medal during the U.S. Figure Skating Championship in 1974! Her fame grew, making it easier for her to pursue acting. She was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1978 for the film Ice Castles. Three years later, she portrayed Bibi Dahl, a Bond girl. Unfortunately, her acting career did not take off after she appeared in For Your Eyes Only.
Lynn-Holly Johnson
Carole Bouquet
Carole Bouquet, a French actress, and model began acting and modeling as a child. She has a long-acting career, having appeared in over forty films. Keep that in mind. She continues to act to this day. For Your Eyes Only starred her alongside Roger Moore and Lynn-Holly Johnson.
Carole Bouquet
Alison Doody
Alison Doody grew up in Dublin and attended a convent school. She was drawn to the arts and began her career as an actress. Jenny Flex was her first film role, which she played in A View To Kill. She is still working in the film industry. She doesn’t appear to have aged at all!
Alison Doody
Grace Jones
We are confident that you will agree that Grace Jones is one of the most successful Bond girls. At the age of 13, she moved from Jamaica to the United States. She rose to fame as an actress as a young woman, appearing in Vogue and Elle magazines. She eventually tried her hand at music and, later, Hollywood. She starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Destroyer! She made her debut as a Bond girl in 1985’s A View to a Kill.
Grace Jones
Tanya Roberts
Tanya Roberts decided to pursue a career in the fashion industry. She was also in a few small films in addition to modeling. Her big break came when she starred in Charlie’s Angels. She landed a Bond girl in A View to a Kill as a result of this role. In the Agent 007 film, she played Stacey Sutton. She went on to have a successful career in television and film. She also appeared in That ’70s Show as Midge.
Tanya Roberts
Maryam d’Abo
Even as a child, this English-born actress wished to appear on the big screen. Maryam d’Abo received her education at the Drama Center in London. She also worked part-time as a model. She played Kara Milovy in The Living Daylights in 1987, and she became a Bond girl. Not only that, but she also co-wrote a book called “Bond Girls Are Forever,” which is a tribute to all of the Bond girls.
Maryam D’Abo
Carey Lowell
Carey Lowell was a well-traveled woman before she became a Bond girl. Her family moved around a lot when she was younger, eventually settling in Colorado. During her time at the University of Colorado, Boulder, she majored in literature. She went on to pursue a modeling career in New York after that. After landing the role of Pam Bouvier, a CIA agent, she got her big break. In the film License to Kill, her character works with James Bond. Jamie Ross was later brought to life by her in Law & Order.
Carey Lowell
Talisa Soto
Talisa Soto was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Puerto Rican parents. She, like the others, shot to fame after landing the role of a Bond girl. This happened when she was cast as an Agent 007 in the film License to Kill. The actress is currently married to Benjamin Bratt.
Talisa Soto
Famke Janssen
We don’t think we need to introduce you to this lady. She starred alongside Pierce Brosnan in the 1995 film Goldeneye. In the movie, she played Xenia Onatopp. The Dutch-born star has since enjoyed a great career as an actress and model. She’s appeared on the covers of countless magazines and starred in films like Taken and X-Men.
Famke Janssen
Izabella Scorupco
Izabella Scorupco made a name for herself in the fashion industry in the 1980s, eventually landing on the cover of Vogue. She began her musical career as a member of a pop group in Sweden that released a gold-certified album. Her fame drew the attention of film producers. They cast her as Natalya Simonova in Goldeneye, in which she co-stars with Famke Janssen and Pierce Brosnan as Natalya Simonova.
Izabella Scorupco
Teri Hatcher
Here’s another Bond girl who’s had a lot of success outside of the Bond franchise. In Tomorrow Never Dies, she brought Paris Carver to life. She has been in the spotlight for the past two decades. She’s also known for her role in Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. She has a memorable role in Seinfeld as well. Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention her outstanding performance in Desperate Housewives.
Teri Hatcher
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh enjoyed a lot of success in the 1990s. She was starring in a slew of Chinese box office hits at the time. She rose to prominence as a result of her roles in several martial arts action films. She starred as a Bond girl in Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997. Her most notable performance was in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It was an Academy Award-winning film for which she was also nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress.
Michelle Yeoh
Cecilie Thomsen
Cecilie Thomsen began acting when she was a young girl. When you’re an aspiring actress, nothing beats starring in a good James Bond film to open doors. In Tomorrow Never Dies, she faced some stiff competition. Michelle Yeoh and Teri Hatcher, after all, we’re in the cast! In any case, we believe she is deserving of praise for her portrayal of Inga Bergstrom.
Cecilie Thomsen
Serena Scott Thomas
This English actress began her career in minor roles in foreign countries. Serena Scott Thomas eventually caught the attention of a Bond casting director. We’re talking about her role as Dr. Molly Warmflash in The World Is Not Enough, in which she co-stars with Pierce Brosnan. She hasn’t slowed down in her acting. You may have seen her recently in Inherent Vice.
Serena Scott Thomas
Sophie Marceau
Sophie Marceau, a French-born actress, may already be familiar to you. She has appeared in several European films over the course of three decades. When she was young, she rose to fame, landing Elektra King’s role in the James Bond film The World is Not Enough. After that, she would continue to land major roles. She appeared in several films, including Braveheart and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Despite this, she prefers to work on French films rather than American ones!
Sophie Marceau
Maria Grazia Cucinotta
Adding three Bond girls to a single film, in our opinion, is overkill. Despite this, we couldn’t end this list without including Cigar Girl, played by Maria Grazia Cucinotta in Tomorrow Never Dies. She began working in the Italian film industry in the early 1990s. It’s easy to believe that some people watch movies to see her!
Maria Grazia Cucinotta
Rosamund Pike
When Rosamund Pike starred in Die Another Day, she was still a relatively unknown actress. Her portrayal of Miranda Frost was just the start of her career. She’s made a name for herself in Hollywood since then. You may recall her outstanding performance in the film Gone Girl from a few years ago.
Rosamund Pike
Halle Berry
We apologize if you become impatient while waiting for this entry. Even though each Bond girl made a memorable entrance in her own way, Halle Berry’s is hard to beat. As she made her way out of the water, no one could take their gaze away from her. We’ll keep this one short and sweet because you already know who she is.
Halle Berry
Eva Green
Eva Green landed her fourth major role in Casino Royale, even though she is now a big star. Although it wasn’t her first film, it put her on the map and opened more doors for her acting career. After that, she landed the role of Morgan in Camelot. She had a bigger role in the cult hit Penny Dreadful, though.
Eva Green