Born:
December 12, 1927
in
London
Best Known For:
Being a Bond girl.
Early-life:
Born December 12, 1927, in Plaistor, London. She credits her father for starting her successful acting career - for her 16th birthday present he offered her the option of a bicycle or elocution lessons. She picked the latter, which helped develop her famous husky, sexy voice. On leaving school she studied part-time at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, making ends meet as a clerk at the Home Office.
Career:
Blackman's first professional job was as an understudy to the lead in West End play The Guinea Pig. Her film debut came in 1946's Fame Is the Spur. Further small movie roles and TV work followed, but it was playing Cathy Gale in The Avengers that made her a star. Blackman quit the show after two series in 1964 and, the same year, starred alongside Sean Connery as Pussy Galore in Bond movie Goldfinger. Films since include Shalako (re-teaming her with Connery), To the Devil a Daughter and Bridget Jones's Diary. She also starred in sitcom The Upper Hand and appeared in Coronation Street in 2004. She continues to work on stage and pop up in guest TV roles.
Quote:
"I'm told leather drives men up the wall. I like wearing it because it feels nice."
Trivia:
She enjoys watching football and declined a CBE in 2002.