Tania Mallet, Bond Girl in ‘Goldfinger,’ Dies Aged 77

Tania Mallet, Bond Girl in ‘Goldfinger,’ Dies Aged 77
British fashion model and actress Tania Mallet in London, UK, on Aug. 9, 1971. (Dove/Daily Express/Getty Images)
4/1/2019
Updated:
4/1/2019

“Goldfinger” actress Tania Mallet has died aged 77, prompting messages of condolence from James Bond fans.

A cousin of British actress Dame Helen Mirren, Mallet played Tilly Masterson alongside Sean Connery’s Bond in the 1964 classic. Her death was announced on the official 007 Twitter account.

“We are very sorry to hear that Tania Mallet who played Tilly Masterson in GOLDFINGER has passed away,” the tweet post said. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.”

Born in Blackpool to father Henry and Russian mother Olga Mironoff, according to a biography on IMDb, Mallet was working as a model when she was cast as Masterson by producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli. She went on to become one of the most famous faces of the 1950s and 60s.

However, instead of pursuing a career in acting after her blockbuster film, she returned to modeling.

In “Goldfinger” she played a character intent on killing Auric Goldfinger after he murdered her sister by painting her body in gold paint.

Tilly was killed off during the movie when villain Oddjob threw his steel-rimmed hat at her.

Fan site Bondstars.com posted a tribute on Twitter, writing: “Unfortunately we must share the very sad news that our dear friend Tania Mallet has sadly passed away.

“She was a very classy and beautiful lady inside and out.”

Celebrities Lost So Far in 2019

Luke Perry
Undated file photo of Luke Perry. (photo by Newsmakers)
Undated file photo of Luke Perry. (photo by Newsmakers)
Peter Tork
Peter Tork of the Monkees passed away at 77 in February 2019 (Getty Images | Noel Vasquez)
Peter Tork of the Monkees passed away at 77 in February 2019 (Getty Images | Noel Vasquez)
Albert Finney
British actor Albert Finney died in February 2019 at the age of 82. (Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images)
British actor Albert Finney died in February 2019 at the age of 82. (Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images)
James Ingram
Longtime R&B singer James Ingram died in late January. Quincy Jones, a collaborator of his, wrote: “With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James Ingram was simply magical ... every beautiful note that James sang pierced your essence and comfortably made itself at home.”
Singer James Ingram has died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer, according to reports on Jan. 29. (Getty Images)
Singer James Ingram has died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer, according to reports on Jan. 29. (Getty Images)
Fatima Ali

“Top Chef” alum Fatima Ali died on Friday, January 25, after a battle with terminal cancer. She was 29.

Former “Top Chef” contestant Bruce Kalman paid tribute to her: “It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Fatima Ali today, as she has lost her battle with cancer,” he wrote

“Top Chef” star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. (Instagram / Selfie)
“Top Chef” star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. (Instagram / Selfie)
Carol Channing
Carol Channing in Concord, N.H. Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television has died at age 97. Publicist B. Harlan Boll says Channing died of natural causes early in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2019. (Jim Cole/AP Photo, File)
Carol Channing in Concord, N.H. Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television has died at age 97. Publicist B. Harlan Boll says Channing died of natural causes early in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2019. (Jim Cole/AP Photo, File)
Bob Einstein
Bob Einstein in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Bob Einstein in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Comedian and actor Bob Einstein died on Jan. 2 after a battle with cancer. He was 76.

Daryl Dragon

Daryl 'The Captain' Dragon beside his ex-wife, Toni Tennille, wearing his signature captain's hat. (Hillel Italie/AP)
Daryl 'The Captain' Dragon beside his ex-wife, Toni Tennille, wearing his signature captain's hat. (Hillel Italie/AP)

Daryl Dragon, or “Captain,” of pop group Captain and Tennille, died on Jan. 2 of renal failure.

The Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report.