English actress Eunice Gayson, most famous for playing the role of Sylvia Trench in two James Bond movies, has passed away at the age of 90.
Born in Purley, Surrey, England, UK, Gayson is historically recorded as the first "Bond Girl" - the many women who acted as romantic interests to the English spy. Strangely enough, Gayson had originally been cast as secretary Miss Moneypenny, but was recast as Sylvia Trench after Lois Maxwell (the actress who went on to play Miss Moneypenny) was offered the role of Sylvia Trench and balked at playing so immodest a character. Gayson was responsible for prompting one of the most famous lines in cinematic history in her first meeting with James Bond at a baccarat table, in the film Dr. No. When he asked for her name, she replied, "Trench, Sylvia Trench," prompting his now famous catch-phrase, "Bond, James Bond."
Gayson was notable as one of the few actresses to play a reoccurring character in the James Bond films. Originally, the character of Sylvia Trench was meant to appear in all of the James Bond movies, with a running gag showing her and James on dates that would always be interrupted by the call of duty at the start of the film. This idea was abandoned after Gayson's second appearance in From Russia With Love, however, as it was decided James Bond having a regular girlfriend didn't suit the character.
Gayson never performed in another feature film after From Russia With Love, but did go on to appear in the television series The Saint and The Avengers. She would come to focus on stage work for the rest of her career, finding fame playing The Baroness in The Sound of Music at The Palace Theater in London's West End for many years. Gayson had trained as an opera singer before going into acting and was famous for her powerful soprano voice.
Gayson is survived by a daughter from her marriage to actor Brian Jackson. Her passing prompted remembrances from longtime Bond movie franchise producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who posted the following statement through the official James Bond Twitter account:
"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."