Movies

Bond girl who acted opposite Sean Connery is unrecognizable at 88, who is she?

BBG News

In a striking transformation, a woman who once starred as a Bond girl alongside Sean Connery over six decades ago appeared almost unrecognizable during her recent, infrequent appearance in Los Angeles this week.

Originating from Rome, this Italian actress kick-started her acting journey in the 1950s and went on to establish a film career that traversed both Europe and the U.S., encompassing a vast expanse of time.

In the ’60s, I solidified my allure as a captivating and dangerous woman, often referred to as a siren. During this era, I charmed Agent 007, luring him into a trap, ultimately aiming to capture him under the threat of a gun.

In the ’60s, I became known for my seductive charm and dangerous allure, often compared to a siren. During this time, I successfully ensnared Agent 007 in a trap, aiming to capture him at gunpoint.

Regardless of my successes in Hollywood and beyond, I’ve always found myself dwelling beneath the limelight cast by my iconic character – a constant reminder of the profound impact it had on my career.

In the late ’70s, I chose to step away from my acting career after tying the knot with my media tycoon partner. On a sunny Thursday in California, we were seen together, continuing our shared journey.

Who is this 88-year-old?

The noteworthy individual under discussion is Luciana Paluzzi, a character well-known to James Bond enthusiasts as the menacing Fiona Volpe from the iconic 1965 film, Thunderball.

This week, she was spotted with her spouse, Michael Jay Solomon, aged 87, who served as the head of Warner Bros International Television during the 1980s and 1990s. Notably, he played a significant role in introducing American television to emerging markets such as Russia, China, and India, as the Cold War came to an end.

On Thursday, Luciana looked fashionable once again, donning a crisp white ensemble consisting of a top and trousers, and adding a delicate touch with a flowing pastel floral shawl.

With her hair still glowing brightly pulled back into a ponytail, she added a sparkling pair of sunglasses to her ensemble, completing the style with crisp white footwear.

She didn’t show any sign of being about to enter her tenth decade, walking confidently with her husband through the parking lot, remaining upright like a well-maintained pole.

Her initial professional ventures spanned films such as ‘Return to Peyton Place’ (American) and ‘No Time to Die’ (British, a World War II drama), both produced much earlier than the Bond movie that shares its title, which came out in 1958.

In the realm of European cinema, I had the privilege to be a part of several productions. For instance, in 1956, I graced the screen in the comedy “Plucking the Daisy,” starring none other than the iconic Brigitte Bardot. Fast forward to 1959, I found myself entwined in the Italian romp “My Wife’s Enemy,” sharing the limelight with the charismatic Marcello Mastroianni.

In 1965, she gained enduring recognition for portraying the long-legged, seductive SPECTRE agent who aimed to lure James Bond towards his demise in the film Thunderball.

At first, Luciana tried out for the main character, Domino Petacchi, but that role ended up going to the French actress Claudine Auger. Instead, Luciana landed a smaller part, Fiona, which provided her with ample chances to create dramatic scenes.

Later on, she happily expressed that she was thrilled to have been chosen as Fiona rather than Domino, as she found the role more enjoyable.

Enthusiasts of the series will always recall the memorable moment when Fiona charms 007, only to later keep him hostage at gunpoint, and also the following scene where he dances with her as a ruse to push her out of the line of fire for a bullet intended for him.

In my line of work, I often share insights into the world of entertainment. And let me tell you, when Sean Connery and his co-star were filming an intimate scene in their bedroom, there was quite a crowd present – a casual 50 photographers snapping away to capture the moment on camera, as Luciana shared afterward.

In this scenario, they performed the scene thrice just for still images, without any recording, and later, the photographers had to leave so the actual shooting day could continue.

Thunderball propelled Luciana into worldwide recognition, yet it was released during a time when James Bond films were particularly characterized by campiness.

In a documentary on Bond girls, she mused: ‘Being part of a Bond film is both a privilege and a challenge, since upon my return to Italy, renowned directors such as Fellinis, Antonionis, Viscontis – the industry leaders at that time – showed little interest in working with me.’

As a devoted follower, let me share my experience: They held a special place in my heart, and I had the pleasure of knowing each one of them. They were all kind and amiable individuals, but when it came to capturing their likeness for a photograph, they preferred a more cartoonish style – not quite what I was accustomed to. However, after dedicating 27 years to my work, I can’t help but feel grateful for the journey I embarked upon with them.

After Bond, she appeared in various movies, such as a Western titled “Chuka” with Rod Taylor, the blaxploitation film “Black Gunn”, an internationally produced prison drama called “99 Women”, and the science fiction movie “The Green Slime”, which was a collaboration between the U.S. and Japan.

Luciana carried on collaborating with Terence Young on various projects, including War Goddess (a story about Amazonian women) and The Klansman, where OJ Simpson made his first appearance in a movie role as a drama.

In Europe, among other projects, she was part of the 1975 European sex comedy titled “The Nurse” (Italian: L’Infermiera), where she collaborated with Ursula Andress, another Bond girl.

1979 marked the conclusion of her film career as she tied the knot with her influential media partner, leading to a more secluded lifestyle living alongside him in privacy.

Read More

2025-07-18 17:05

Previous post A New ‘Judge Dredd’ Movie Is In the Works From Taika Watiti
Next post Wuthering Waves Version 2.5 ‘Unfading Melody of Life’ update will release on July 24