First ‘Bond Girl,’ Eunice Gayson of ‘Dr. No,’ Dies

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Eunice Gayson and Sean Connery in 1962’s Dr No

Eunice Gayson, who portrayed James Bond’s love interest in the series’ first two films, Dr. No and From Russia with Love, died Friday, June 8, at age 90. With her role – opposite Sean Connery as 007 – in 1962’s Dr. No, Gayson became the first of many so-called “Bond girls.” Her cause of death was not revealed.

Born in Croydon, Surrey (U.K., naturally), on March 17, 1928, Gayson was 34 when Dr. No was released on Oct. 5, 1962. She played Sylvia Trench, who meets Bond at a Baccarat table in a London club. The film, which cost a reported $1.1 million to make, went on to earn over $59 million, thus paving the way for the popular series based on the Ian Fleming novels. (Dr. No also starred Swiss actress Ursula Andress, as Honey Ryder, the film’s “other” “Bond girl.” Andress, just 26 when she appeared in her breakout role, enjoyed a career as a big international sex symbol.)

When Gayson’s character first meets Bond at the club, it became the first instance where his character introduces himself with the iconic line. Trench says “I admire your luck, Mister… ?” Lighting a cigarette, Connery, as Bond replies, “Bond… James Bond.”

Watch Bond introduce himself

Gayson reprised her role as Trench in From Russia with Love, released just one year later on Oct. 10, 1963. She was thus he only “Bond girl” to appear in two of the 007 films.

Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli issued a statement upon hearing of Gayson’s death: “We are so sad to learn that Eunice Gayson, our very first ‘Bond girl,’ who played Sylvia Trench in Dr. No and From Russia With Love, has passed away. Our sincere thoughts are with her family.”

Comment from Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli: “We are so sad to learn that Eunice Gayson, our very first ‘Bond girl’ who played Sylvia Trench in DR. NO and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE has passed away. Our sincere thoughts are with her family.” pic.twitter.com/W0UOcDEuZq

— James Bond (@007) June 9, 2018