Dame Shirley Bassey and the Bond Girls mourns Sean Connery

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2020-11-01

Shirley Bassey Sean Connery James Bond girls

Dame Shirley Bassey - singer of the theme songs for Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Moonraker (1979) - and several of the actresses who worked with Sean Connery - including FSWL friends Luciana Paluzzi, Martine Beswicke, Lana Wood, Trina Parks, Barbara Carrera and Valerie Leon - mourns the passing of the great Scot.

Dame Shirley Bassey, a good friend of Sean since many years, posted on Twitter:

“I'm incredibly saddened to hear of Sean’s passing. My thoughts are with his family. He was a wonderful person; a true gentleman and we will be forever connected by Bond. When we were younger, I used to cheer Sean on from the side-lines whilst he played football in his team, The Showbiz 11! Well, I will always be there to cheer you on Sean! Forever in our hearts and may you rest in peace. x”

Ursula Andress, Honey Ryder in the first Bond film Dr No (1962), told Corriere della Sera:

“He was a great man. Today, such men no longer exist, they are all too narcissistic, too absorbed in themselves. Someone like Sean is hard to find today. He was a great friend and a fabulous actor.

I didn't know Sean [before Dr No], and I thought it would be my first film and maybe my last but instead it took off, the chemistry between us worked and it was the perfect combination.

We met for the first time in the dining room of the small hotel where we were staying; he was alone at the table and I was fearful. But then it all passed. During the making of the film he was very protective of me, adorable, fantastic.

For me, Sean is not dead. He will always be alive, with me forever.”

Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder and Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr No

Marguerite LeWars, the 'Daily Gleaner' photographer in Dr No, told Jamaica Observer:

“I was so sorry to wake up to the news that he had passed on. He was such a fabulous man and very kind to me when we did Dr No. I had never done anything like that before, never acted in a film, and he was just so kind to me even when I forgot some of my lines, which were not many, he was still such a gentleman.

I was so lucky to have him as a co-star on my first and last film. My one disappointment is that I never had the opportunity to see him again... but I have absolutely fond memories of him and that whole experience.”

Sean Connery and Marguerite LeWars during the production of Dr No in Jamaica 1962

Sean Connery and Marguerite LeWars during the production of Dr No in Jamaica 1962

Luciana Paluzzi who played Fiona Volpe in the 1965 classic Thunderball, shared her thoughts with FSWL:

“I am so, so sad... He was such a force ... Irreplaceable!”

Luciana Paluzzi and Sean Connery during the filming of Thunderball

Martine Beswicke, Zora in From Russia with Love (1963) and Paula Caplan in Thunderball, sent this message:

“I shed unexpected tears for my friend Sean. Realised what an important part he played in my life... the beginning of my career!! I toasted him last night with a special glass of champagne.”

Martine Beswicke with Sean Connery and Claudine Auger on the set of Thunderball in the Bahamas

Lana Wood, Plenty O'Toole in the 1971 film Diamonds Are Forever directed by Guy Hamilton, wrote:

“His voice echoes in my head, his smile will always warm me... a special man in every way...he’ll never be gone. End of an era that won’t be forgotten.”

Lana Wood and Sean Connery in Las Vegas for Diamonds Are Forever

Trina Parks, Thumper in Diamonds Are Forever, posted on Facebook:

“My heart is so saddened to hear of my favorite James Bond's passing. He was exquisite in all his films and so wonderful to work with. We did not know each other before the film but he treated me as if we did. I am so honored to have known him. Rest well, Sir Sean. You were iconic in every film.”

Trina Parks and Sean Connery on the set of Diamonds Are Forever

Barbara Carrera, Fatima Blush in Never Say Never Again (1983) directed by Irvin Kersher, texted:

“I'm so very sad about Sean Connery's death! It hasn't sunk in yet that he has died. He was my James Bond... I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to work with him. He was and will always be THE QUINTESSENTIAL Bond!”

Barbara Carrera and Sean Connery in a publicity still for Never Say Never Again

Valerie Leon, Lady in the Bahamas in Never Say Never Again, posted on Twitter:

“Remembering the definitive James Bond, Sean Connery. He was a true star and will be much missed.”

Valerie Leon and Sean Connery during the filming of Never Say Never Again

Kim Basinger worked with Connery on Never Say Never Again posted on Instagram:

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Very sad day...This film Never say Never was the film that introduced me to my world audience.. I Will always be grateful and indebted to Sean and his wife Michelin Connery. This was one of the first and greatest adventures of my professional life.. my love and prayers go out to his family. Love you Sean.. There Will never be another you… On or off the screen.. ✨??❤️ KB

A post shared by Kim Basinger (@kim.basinger) on Oct 31, 2020 at 11:52am PDT

Jane Seymour (Solitaire in Live and Let Die) with Connery in 2006 posted on Instagram:

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So sad to hear of Sean Connery’s passing. ? He brought joy to so many through his work. May his memory live on in all of our hearts. ♥️ #SeanConnery

Ett inlägg delat av Jane Seymour (@janeseymour) 31 Okt 2020 kl. 11:37 PDT

Alison Doody (Jenny Flex in A View to a Kill) worked with Connery on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade posted on Instagram:

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Ett inlägg delat av Alison Doody (@alison_doody)

(Special thanks to FSWL contributor Laurent Perriot for providing some of the photos above.)

For more information about Sean Connery's life and career, visit his official website.

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