Pamela Salem dies aged 80: James Bond’s Miss Moneypenny and EastEnders star 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.

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 B**ch, 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.

Pamela previously told how Sean himself got her the role after he heard she was one of the many actresses being considered.

Speak with Double-O-Seven Magazine‘, she said: ‘I had previously worked with Sean Connery in The First Great Train Robbery and when he saw that I was one of the many people being considered for the role he personally introduced me to the right people, which was a lot of fun.’

The character was previously played by Lois Maxwell, but Pamela was confident she could make the role her own.

She said: “It’s just a matter of interpreting it in your own way and playing it as truthfully as possible, which wasn’t difficult, you know, to admire Bond from a distance because I think he (Sean) is a great man is. .’

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.”

He added: ‘We have had many happy days together and I feel very lucky to have had her in my life.’

Fans of the star took to social media to pay tribute to her. One wrote on X: ‘Very sad to hear that Pamela Salem has passed away. A real star.’

Others wrote: ‘Very sad. I met her a few times in London in the 90s… ‘Very sad. She had real authority on screen. But I absolutely loved her performances in Big Finish’s Counter-Measures series.”

Others added: ‘So sad. I only recently thought of her and the 80’s TV series ‘Into The Labyrinth’… ‘Excellent actress and an instantly recognizable voice.’

Screenwriter Gareth Roberts wrote: ‘Goodbye, Pamela Salem. A fine actress. She always seemed so *nice*.”