Dana Broccoli (1922-2004)

In what will be shocking news to family, friends, and Bond fans around the world, CBn has learned that Dana Broccoli, wife of Cubby Broccoli and defacto Godmother of the James Bond franchise, passed away becasue of cancer on Sunday February 29th in her Beverly Hills home at the age of 82. Her funeral will be held at the Church of the Hills at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 4th.

She was born Dana Natol in New York on January 3, 1922. Dana Broccoli worked in Hollywood as an actress in the late 1940s and early ’50s before publishing a number of novels. She first met Cubby Broccoli in the late ’40s when he was selling Christmas trees in Beverly Hills and she was known as Dana Wilson. The pair did not start a romance until years later when they met again in the spring of 1959. At that time, Dana Wilson was looking for a producer to make Dutch Treat, a story based on her family history.

Cubby Broccoli was, by then, one of the most successful producers working in England and Europe. Broccoli did not produce the film, but he did marry Dana Wilson six weeks later.

Although not well known, Dana Broccoli had a remarkable impact on the success of James Bond. Described by friends and co-workers as refined and elegant, Dana Broccoli worked as an unofficial advisor to Cubby during the creation and making of the Bond films. She read the early screenplays, making important suggestions, and helped considerably with the casting of the films. Her first chance to assist came when Cubby Broccoli called her down to a screening of a Disney film about leprechauns.

Dana Broccoli quickly told her husband that the burly farmhand in the film would make a fine James Bond. The actor was Sean Connery.

Other crew members on the Bond films recall how Dana Broccoli’s own sense of casual grace helped mold the character and the series over the years.

CBn would like to express its sincere condolences to Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson, and everyone associated with the Bond “family”.

If you wish to send the Broccoli family your condolences… in lieu of flowers they would appreciate donations made to their charity – The Dana & Albert “Cubby” Broccoli Center for Aortic Diseases. Many Thanks.

To discuss this news visit this thread of the CBn Forums
Thank you to N. Peress for informing us.