Pamela Salem dead at 80: EastEnders star and James Bond’s Miss Moneypenny passes away after decades-long career in showbusiness
James Bond star Pamela Salem has died at the age of 80.
The actress is remembered for playing Miss Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again opposite Sean Connery in 1983.
She also appeared in EastEnders as Joanne in 1988 and appeared in shows such as General Hospital and ER.
Production company Big Finish said: ‘We are heartbroken to confirm the passing of our dear friend and colleague Pamela Salem.’
Pamela was born in Mumbai (then Bombay), India and later studied at the University of Heidelberg in Germany before attending the Central School of Speech and Drama.
James Bond star Pamela Salem has died aged 80 (pictured in 1982)
The actress is remembered for playing Miss Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again opposite Sean Connery in 1983 (pictured with Sean Connery and Barbara Carrera)
Her TV career began in the early 1970s with guest appearances on shows such as Out Of The Unknown and Jason King.
Pamela’s big film break came in 1978 when she appeared in the heist comedy The First Great Train Robbery, the first time she worked with Sean Connery.
She followed this up by appearing alongside Joan Collins in the 1979 film The Bitch, based on the novel of the same name by Joan’s sister Jackie.
Four years later, she made one of her most memorable film appearances as Miss Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again, earning $160 million at the box office.
Other film appearances included Salomé in 1986 and Gods and Monsters in 1998.
Pamela was also known to science fiction fans for her appearances in Doctor Who, Blake’s 7.
She was married to actor Michael O’Hagan until his death in November 2017. The couple lived in Surfside, Florida, where Pamela died on February 21.
David Richardson, who worked with Pamela on Big Finish productions, paid tribute to her, saying: ‘Every time there was a Big Finish recording for her, she flew from Miami under her own steam, without fuss or fanfare, and appeared on the studio armed with the warmest smiles, the biggest hugs and often gifts.
“She was a very gentle person, always interested in everyone, from her co-stars to the production team, to the guest actors and visitors.”