It is our sad duty to confirm that British actress Honor Blackman has died at the age of 94. Before Diana Rigg played Mrs. Peel on The Avengers, Honor Blackman was John Steed’s partner Cathy Gale. She died at her home in Lewes, Sussex, of natural causes unrelated to the coronavirus, with her family beside her. Blackman left The Avengers after two successful seasons to star in the James Bond movie Goldfinger as Pussy Galore. She also played the Greek goddess Hera in Jason and the Argonauts, one of Ray Harryhausen’s most respected movies. She also appeared in the 2012 horror movie Cockneys vs. Zombies.
Her family said, “As well as being a much-adored mother and grandmother, Honor was an actor of hugely prolific creative talent. With an extraordinary combination of beauty, brains and physical prowess, along with her unique voice and a dedicated work ethic, she achieved an unparalleled iconic status in the world of film and entertainment and with absolute commitment to her craft and total professionalism in all her endeavors she contributed to some of the great films and theater productions of our times.”
Honor Blackman was born in London, August 22, 1925. She died April 6, 2020 in Lewes, England. Her first movie was in 1947, Fame is the Spur. From 1947 to 2015 she appeared in over one hundred British and American TV shows and movies. She was Professor Lasky on Dr. Who in “Trial of a Time Lord” with Colin Baker, the Sixth Doctor. She was Jack’s secretary in the TV mini-series Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story. She had a recurring role on the popular Coronation Street as Rula Romanoff. She was once a guest in the 1958 version of The Invisible Man. She co-starred in all 95 episodes of the British sitcom The Upper Hand, which inspired the American Who’s the Boss, originating the role that Katherine Helmond played in the American reboot. She and her second husband Maurice Kaufman appeared together in the horror movie Fright.
She was twice married and twice divorced, first to Bill Sankey from 1948 to 1956, then to Maurice Kaufman from 1961 to 1975. She and Kaufman had two children, Barnaby and Lottie, and four grandchildren, Daisy, Oscar, Olive, and Toby.
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Susan Macdonald is the author of the children's book "R is for Renaissance Faire", as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in "Alternative Truths", "Swords and Sorceress #30", Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, "Cat Tails" "Under Western Stars", and "Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid". Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio's web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
