Actress Who Helped Connery Say Iconic Line Dead at 90

Eunice Gayson had a sparkling 50-year career
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 9, 2018 2:00 PM CDT

The world's first "Bond girl" has passed away at the age of 90, Variety reports. Eunice Gayson, who played Sylvia Trench in Dr. No and From Russia With Love, died Friday, according to her official Twitter feed and Bond film producers. She was "an amazing lady who left a lasting impression on everyone she met," her feed says. "She will be very much missed." She also helped Sean Connery overcome nerves to deliver his most iconic Bond line in Dr. No, the BBC reports. Encountering the British spy at Le Cercle Club casino, Gayson's character introduces herself, saying, "Trench, Sylvia Trench. I admire your luck, Mr...." But Connery apparently struggled to say the next line.

"He had to say Bond, James Bond," says Gayson, "but he came out with other permutations like Sean Bond, James Connery. 'Cut! Cut! Cut!'" Director Terence Young suggested Gayson take Connery for a drink, and when they returned the Bond actor said it smoothly. The Trench character was slated to become a regular character in Bond films, but Goldfinger director Guy Hamilton nixed the plan. Another tidbit: Gayson's voice isn't heard in either of her Bond films because, like many Bond girls of that era, her words were voiced over by voice actor Nikki van der Zyl. British-born Gayson went on to star in classic TV series like The Saint and The Avengers over a 50-year career, per the Daily News. (More obituary stories.)

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