The Death of Miss Moneypenny

Many James Bond fans will remember, fondly, the ongoing banter between Moneypenny and Bond. For years that role was played by Lois Maxwell, but a spokesperson for Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia, said she died there on Saturday evening.

From 1962 and Doctor No through until 1987 and The Living Daylights, Lois continued to play Miss Moneypenny until she was replaced, at age 58, in Living Daylights by Caroline Bliss. All together she appeared in 14 James Bond movies, seeing through four Bonds.

Her smile and banter with the various Bonds will be well remembered. She was one of the few women to refrain from falling for Bond's charm, despite the obvious attraction she felt for him. But unlike the traditional Bond girls, Moneypenny knew all too well just how dangerous Bond was.

Lois Maxwell was a talented actress whose career spanned shows such as The Saint, The Baron, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and The Persuaders. She also received in 1940, a Golden Globe for the Best Newcomer for her appearance in the Shirley Temple movie "That Hagan Girl".

Although it is believed she angered Sean Connery 1973 for some time after she appeared in an Italian spoof spy movie Operation Kid Brother with Sean's younger brother, she was fondly remembered by other cast members.

"It's rather a shock," Sir Roger, who had known her since they were students at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) in 1944, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"She was always fun and she was wonderful to be with."

"She was absolutely perfect casting," he said of her role as Miss Moneypenny."

"It was a great pity that, after I moved out of Bond, they didn't take her on to continue in the Timothy Dalton films."

"I think it was a great disappointment to her that she had not been promoted to play M. She would have been a wonderful M."

Sir Roger Moore said she had moved to Australia to be with her son after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Lois Maxwell will be sorely missed.