Honor Blackman, star of Goldfinger, The Avengers, and more has died at the age of 94

Honor Blackman the English actress, known for the roles of Cathy Gale in The Avengers (1962–1964), Pussy Galore in Goldfinger (1964), Julia Daggett in Shalako (1968) and Hera in Jason and the Argonauts (1963).

In a statement to the Guardian, her family said: “It’s with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Honor Blackman aged 94. She died peacefully of natural causes at her home in Lewes, Sussex, surrounded by her family. She was much loved and will be greatly missed by her two children Barnaby and Lottie, and grandchildren Daisy, Oscar, Olive and Toby.

“As well as being a much-adored mother and grandmother, Honor was an actor of hugely prolific creative talent; with an extraordinary combination of beauty, brains and physical prowess, along with her unique voice and a dedicated work ethic, she achieved an unparalleled iconic status in the world of film and entertainment and with absolute commitment to her craft and total professionalism in all her endeavours she contributed to some of the great films and theatre productions of our times.”

Blackman’s other film roles included Fame Is the Spur (1947), Quartet (1948), So Long at the Fair (1950), A Night to Remember (1958), The Square Peg (1958), Life at the Top (1965), The Virgin and the Gypsy (1970), Something Big (1971) and Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001).

Here in the UK, she was also well known for her role as Laura West in the ITV sitcom The Upper Hand (1990–1996). She appeared in theatrical productions including The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady and Cabaret. In recent years, she had toured and performed in her show Honor Blackman As Herself.

She was a legend and she will be missed.