Eunice Gayson, the actress who played the first Bond girl, has died aged 90.
The news of her death was announced on her official Twitter feed on Saturday (June 9) with a post that read: "We are very sad to learn that our dear Eunice passed away on June 8th.
"An amazing lady who left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She will be very much missed."
We are very sad to learn that our dear Eunice passed away on June 8th. An amazing lady who left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She will be very much missed. pic.twitter.com/c5kVHs256Y
— Eunice Gayson (@EuniceGayson) June 9, 2018
The British actress starred alongside Sean Connery in the first two James Bond films, 1962's Dr No and 1963's From Russia With Love.
She played Bond's love interest Sylvia Trench having originally being cast as Miss Moneypenny. That part went to Lois Maxwell instead.
The character is known for eliciting one of Bond's most famous catchphrases. Over a game of cards, Bond asks for her name. "I admire your courage, Miss, er?" She replies: "Trench, Sylvia Trench. I admire your luck, Mr...?"
"Bond, James Bond," Connery replies.
Gayson's voice was dubbed in the two Bond films by German voice actress Nikki Van Der Zyl.
James Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccolo paid tribute to Gayson on the official 007 Twitter account, saying they are "so sad" to hear she has passed away.
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
Gayson, who was born in Surrey in 1928, also starred in the 1958 horror film The Revenge of Frankenstein and was seen on TV in series such as The Saint and The Avengers.
Tributes to the late actress have flooded in on Twitter, with one fan saying she will be forever immortalised" for her part as Sylvia Trench and that "her legacy will live on".
With endless respect to Sir Roger, we've just lost the greatest raised eyebrow in the Bond franchise.
— James Bond Minute (@JamesBondMinute) June 9, 2018
Sylvia Trench was a fabulous character, wonderfully brought to life by Eunice Gayson. RIP. pic.twitter.com/WkknKfHmMN
It's sad news to hear about the passing of Eunice Gayson. She will of course be forever immortalised for her part in the James Bond films in the role of Sylvia Trench. Her legacy will live on. #Bond #JamesBond #OO7 pic.twitter.com/4Kx6mWuHpp
— THUNDERBALLS (@Thunderballs007) June 9, 2018
Somehow lost in the franchise iconography is the detail that the first "Bond. James Bond" in 1962’s DOCTOR NO is actually 007 mimicking Eunice Gayson introducing herself as "Trench. Sylvia Trench." Ms. Gayson kicked it off. RIP. #EuniceGayson #007 pic.twitter.com/clleXYUBSq
— Phil Nobile Jr. (@PhilNobileJr) June 9, 2018
Sad to hear that the first Bond girl Eunice Gayson has died at the age of 90. She played Sylvia Trench in Doctor No. And was the first person Sean Connery ever spoke perhaps 007’s most famous quote to; when asked he told her his name was ‘Bond, James Bond’. pic.twitter.com/sGzFunznRu
— lizo mzimba (@lizo_mzimba) June 9, 2018
Before them all, there was her. RIP #EuniceGayson. English actress best known for playing #SylviaTrench, #JamesBond's girlfriend in the first two #Bond adventures, #DrNo & #FromRussiaWithLove. Originally, Gayson was cast as #MissMoneypenny. #BondGirl #DN #FRWL #OO7 pic.twitter.com/YTspgw2Kmo
— THE ⓄⓄ⑦ FILES (@The007Files) June 9, 2018
Sad to read of the death of #EuniceGayson - the first Bond girl in 'Dr No' (and 'From Russia With Love'). Great in @hammerfilms 'The Revenge of Frankenstein' too. RIP. pic.twitter.com/46rQtR8hpY
— JONATHAN SOTHCOTT (@sothcott) June 9, 2018
