Margaret Nolan, who played Dink, James Bond’s masseuse in the 1964 classic Bond picture Goldfinger, has died at the age of 76.
Margaret Nolan — A Life Well Lived
As Bond fans know, the 007 films are known for glorious title sequences at the beginning of each movie that features thrilling images set to theme songs, some of which have won Academy Awards. Nolan was hired to appear in the opening of Goldfinger, agreeing to the gig if she were given a part in the film. Producers happily obliged.
“I quite unexpectedly shot into the limelight with my very first film role in Goldfinger in 1964 when I was only 20 years old,” Nolan, born on October 29, 1943 in Radstock, Somerset, England, shared on her website. “Eon films had wanted me to be the body for the iconic titles sequence and I agreed if they gave me a part in the film (Dink).
“An offer of a two year contract to publicise the film followed,” she added, “but I turned this down on the grounds that I would find it difficult to ‘live down’ such publicity as I wanted to be taken seriously as an actress. As it transpired I couldn’t ‘live it down’ anyway and to this day get regular fan-mail from Bond fans! I also get lots of mail still from my appearances in six ‘Carry On’ films and repeats of tv shows.”
Nolan, using the name Vicki Kennedy, broke into the business as a model, appearing even in Playboy. She booked parts in films including Saturday Night Out, which lead to her being cast in Goldfinger.
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Writer/director Edgar Wright reported the news of Nolan’s passing on Twitter. Later, her son, Oscar Deeks, a cinematographer and camera operator, confirmed the news to Variety.
“It’s my sad duty to report that actress and artist, the magnificent Margaret Nolan has passed away,” Wright posted in a series of tweets. “She was the middle of Venn diagram of everything cool in the 60’s; having appeared with the Beatles, been beyond iconic in Bond and been part of the Carry On cast too.
“She was the gold painted model in the iconic Goldfinger title sequence and poster (she also played Dink in the movie), she appeared in the classic A Hard Day’s Night, Carry On Girls, No Sex Please We’re British & many others, frequently sending up her own glamourpuss image,” Wright continued. “She also appeared in five Spike Milligan Q series, Steptoe & Son, The Likely Lads, Morecambe; Wise and The Sweeney. She became deeply involved in political theatre and more recently created visual art; deconstructed her own glamour modelling in a series of photomontages.”
Wright was more than an admirer of Nolan’s — he cast her in a film he’s making. “I worked with her last year as she plays a small role in Last Night In Soho,” he adds. “She was so funny, sharp and, as you might imagine, full of the most amazing stories. I’m so glad I got to know her. My heart goes out to her family and all that loved her. She will be much missed.” Entertainment Hub sends sincere condolences to Deeks and the rest of Nolan’s family and Bond fans everywhere.
It's my sad duty to report that actress and artist, the magnificent Margaret Nolan has passed away. She was the middle of Venn diagram of everything cool in the 60's; having appeared with the Beatles, been beyond iconic in Bond and been part of the Carry On cast too. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/YaEaWDmLt2
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) October 11, 2020
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