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Ian Fleming died on this day in 1964 from a heart attack. Aged just 56, he had suffered from poor health for many years largely due to his heavy smoking.
Jimmy Dean, who played Willard Whyte in Diamonds Are Forever, was born in Texas on 10th August 1928
Jimmy Dean, who played Willard Whyte in Diamonds Are Forever, was born in Plainview, Texas, US on 10th August 1928.
Robert Shaw, who played Donald Grant in From Russia with Love, was born in Lancashire on 9th August 1927
Robert Shaw, who played Donald Grant in From Russia with Love, was born in Lancashire on 9th August 1927.
Michelle Yeoh, who played Wai Lin in Tomorrow Never Dies, was born in Malaysia on 6th August 1962
Michelle Yeoh, who played Wai Lin in Tomorrow Never Dies, was born in Malaysia on 6th August 1962.
Steven Berkoff, who played General Orlov in Octopussy, was born in London on 3rd August 1937
Steven Berkoff, who played General Orlov in Octopussy, was born in Stepney in London on 3rd August 1937.
Giancarlo Giannini, who played René Mathis in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, was born in Italy on this day in 1942
Giancarlo Giannini, who played René Mathis in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, was born in La Spezia in Italy on 1st August 1942.
Although the character of Mathis popped up from time to time in Ian Fleming’s books, he was unceremoniously dumped in Daniel Craig’s second outing as 007.
Skyfall and SPECTRE director, Sam Mendes, was born in Reading on this day in 1965
Sam Mendes, who directed Skyfall and SPECTRE, was born in Reading on 1st August 1965.
Mendes made his name directing stage productions, which he continues to do today, and in 1999 directed his first film, American Beauty. Since then he has directed Road to Perdition (2002) with Daniel Craig, Jarhead (2005), Revolutionary Road (2008) and Away We Go (2009), before being approached by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson to direct Skyfall.
Although he initially said he would not do another Bond film, Mendes later agreed to direct SPECTRE.
Photo: Sam Mendes by Angela George. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Geoffrey Holder, who memorably played Baron Samedi in Live and Let Die, was born in Trinidad and Tobago on 1st August 1930
Geoffrey Holder, who memorably played Baron Samedi in Live and Let Die, was born in Trinidad and Tobago on 1st August 1930.
Adolfo Celi was born in Italy on 27th July 1922. He played SPECTRE’s Emilio Largo in Thunderball
Adolfo Celi, who played Emilio Largo in Thunderball, was born in Sicily on 27th July 1922.