‘James Bond’ Actress Pamela Salem Passes Away At 80

Pamela Salem, the famous Miss Moneypenny opposite Sean Connery in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again, has passed away at 80.

The actress’s death on Wednesday was announced by Big Finish Productions.

David Richardson, a Doctor Who audio drama producer, told the BBC, “Pamela Salem was lovely, and we all loved her. Whenever there was a Big Finish recording for her, she’d fly in from Miami on her own steam, without fuss or fanfare, and appear at the studio armed with the warmest smiles, the biggest hugs and often presents.”

“She was a very gentle person, always interested in everyone from her co-stars to the production team to the guest actors and visitors.”

Karen Gledhill, a colleague of Salem’s on the 1999 film “Counter Measures,” said her friend “took me under her wing” on the set.

“Pamela was the kindest, most generous actor I have ever worked with,” Gledhill said. “Back in the 80s on Remembrance Of The Daleks (my first proper TV job), she took me under her wing and led me through a wonderful but slightly daunting experience. We became friends, and whenever we met were always so pleased to see each other.”

She added they “shared a mutual love of dogs – she adored the canine friends that she often rescued and looked after.”

“She was so loved, so respected and will be so missed.”

Salem was born in India in 1944, was raised in an artistic household and encouraged to study abroad at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Her theater repertoire helped land early roles in the medical drama ER and science fiction shows Blake’s 7, The Tripods and Into The Labyrinth. U.S. viewers may remember her as UK prime minister Maureen Graty in the 2005-2006 season of The West Wing where she flexed her diplomatic skills as a foreign leader struggling to maintain a legislative coalition while supporting U.S.-led war efforts in the Middle East.

After landing her big break in the 007 franchise, Salem returned to Connery’s side in the 1978 film The Great Train Robbery. Throughout the 1980s she held a regular role as Professor Rachel Jensen in the BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who.

Salem was married for 35 years to actor Michael O’Hagan, who died in 2017.