Guardian Unlimited reports Hollywood icon and Bond Girl Deborah Kerr passed away on Tuesday, aged 86.

Deborah Kerr and David Niven in 1967’s Casino Royale

While Kerr may be known to James Bond fans as Agent Mimi/Lady Fiona McTarry in 1967’s Casino Royale, the actress was a screen legend in her own right, starring in The King And I, An Affair To Remember and From Here To Eternity.

During her career, she was nominated for six Best Actress Oscars. Ultimately, the Academy only ever paid tribute to the actress with an Honorary Award in 1994.

Dr. Shatterhand’s Botanical Garden, in its article on the history of the adaptations of Ian Fleming’s first 007 novel, notes that Kerr landed the role in Casino Royale after visiting her long-time friend, John Huston (one of movie’s five directors). The offer of a guest role consisting of a ten-day shoot quickly ballooned into two months of filming. (As a trivia note for Bond fans, Huston called upon his daughter to double for Deborah Kerr’s hands in certain shots, resulting in Anjelica Huston’s first screen role.)

Deborah Kerr’s last film appearance was in 1985’s The Assam Garden, in which she starred alongside Never Say Never Again’s Alec McCowen.

Casino Royale will be re-released on DVD next year.

CommanderBond.net and its members wish to extend their deepest condolences to the friends and family of Deborah Kerr.

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