10 Most Memorable Bond Girls

Derick Chetty | November 6th, 2015
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When Ian Fleming created the chauvinist hero, James Bond, it was fitting that he made women the perfect foil for the martini swilling dashing spy.

The Bond films throughout the years have featured a bevy of Bond beauties that played more than just being eye candy. Some had savvy acumen to ensnare and outwit 007. Some assisted him in his various missions to save the free world. A couple might have saved his life. And there were a few that successfully beat the crap out of him.

But while it was said that the role of a Bond girl was a coveted one – more so for the publicity that comes with the film rather than for the stretching of any acting chops – some of these roles were rather one dimensional and lackluster.

As Spectre, the 24th Bond film, hits the theater this weekend, we round up some of the most memorable Bond ladies that left a lasting impression throughout the years.

10. URSULA ANDRESS DR. NO

As the first Bond girl in the first Bond flick back in 1962, Andress created a singular iconic moment that Bond films today pay homage to. Emerging out of the Caribbean sea in a bikini and a dagger at the hip, it was a cinematic moment that decades later, Halle Berry would recreate when she was a Bond girl in Die Another Day. And a male spin was put on the emerging-from-the-surf scene using Daniel Craig as Bond and in a pair of blue speedos in Casino Royale.

9. SHIRLEY EATON GOLDFINGER

Who can forget the creative demise of this Bond beauty’s death by gold paint? The scene where Sean Connery as Bond discovers a nude Eaton laying on a bed, completely gilded in death, left a lasting impression on audiences. The scene was so famous, the actress painted in gold, posed for the cover of Life magazine in November 6th to promote the film when it opened in December in the United States.

8. HONOR BLACKMAN GOLDFINGER

Goldfinger (1964) Directed by Guy Hamilton Shown: Honor Blackman
Goldfinger (1964)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
Shown: Honor Blackman

With the hilariously double entendre name of Pussy Galore, Blackman was the oldest Bond lady at age 39. (That is now eclipsed by the latest Bond flick which features Monica Bellucci, 50.) Blackman did her own stunts in Goldfinger and had a memorable fight in a haystack with the superspy.

7. EVA GREEN CASINO ROYALE

Casino Royale (2006) Directed by Martin Campbell Shown: Eva Green (as Vesper)
Casino Royale (2006)
Directed by Martin Campbell
Shown: Eva Green (as Vesper)

This French actress brought a quiet and mysterious beauty to the part. Playing Vesper Lynd, she was one of only two women in the Bond canon that was his true love. And she made the ultimate sacrifice of ending her life to save his.

6. MICHELLE YEOH TOMORROW NEVER DIES

Irish actor Pierce Brosnan stars as 007 opposite Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh in the James Bond film 'Tomorrow Never Dies' 1997. He is holding a Walther P99 semi-automatic pistol. (Photo by Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)
Irish actor Pierce Brosnan stars as 007 opposite Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh in the James Bond film ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ 1997. He is holding a Walther P99 semi-automatic pistol. (Photo by Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)

One of the rare Bond girls of colour, she was not just beautiful, as Wai Lin, a strong and tough fighter, she completely kicks ass – including Bond’s – in the movie.

5. CAROLE BOUQUET FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

For Your Eyes Only (1981) Directed by John Glen Shown: Carole Bouquet
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Directed by John Glen
Shown: Carole Bouquet

This gloriously maned Bond girl with the vulnerable and beautiful face (She was a Chanel model) belied how dangerous she can be with a crossbow as Melina Havelock, out to avenge the murder of her parents.

4. FAMKE JANSSEN GOLDENEYE

Dutch-born actress Famke Janssen stars as the villainous Xenia Onatopp in the James Bond film 'GoldenEye', 1995. (Photo by Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)
Dutch-born actress Famke Janssen stars as the villainous Xenia Onatopp in the James Bond film ‘GoldenEye’, 1995. (Photo by Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)

Playing villainess, Xenia Onatopp, this lethal Bond beauty had a unique way of killing off adversaries – sometimes using sex as a weapon by literally crushing men between her powerful thighs.

3. JANE SEYMOUR LIVE AND LET DIE

As a little known actress and at age 20, Seymour landed the part of a Bond girl playing the tarot-card reading Solitaire. The role would prove to be her big break, prompting her to move to Hollywood.

2. HALLE BERRY DIE ANOTHER DAY

Cast as Jinx, she was the first black actress in 17 years to play a Bond lady. The producers so loved her in the role of Jinx, there was talk of giving her a spin-off movie. But most memorable moment in the movie was her emerging from the sea in a bikini – a recreation of the iconic scene from Dr. No.

1.GRACE JONES A VIEW TO A KILL

Publicity still of Jamaican singer and actress Grace Jones in the film 'A View to a Kill' (MGM/UA), 1985. (Photo by John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/Getty Images)
Publicity still of Jamaican singer and actress Grace Jones in the film ‘A View to a Kill’ (MGM/UA), 1985. (Photo by John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/Getty Images)

Quite possibly the only Bond actress who scared the living daylights out of actor Roger Moore, who reportedly on set said, “Please stop looking at me like that, with such venom.” However, as May Day, she was a spectacular villainess and she scene where she leaps off the Eiffel Tower, only to paraglide down the Seine River, remains one of those utterly cool, thrilling, over-the-top action sequences in a Bond film – except it was a Bond babe in action.