Claudine Auger, First French Actress to Star as a Bond Girl, Dies at 78

Photo: Tony Barson Archive/WireImage

Claudine Auger, who played Domino oppositeSean ConneryinThunderballhas died.

The actress died in Paris on Thursday, according to her agent, reportsAFP. She was 78.

Before Léa Seydoux,Eva GreenandCarole Bouquet, Auger was the first French actress to star opposite 007 appearing in the Bond series’ fourth entry in 1965.

Born Claudine Oger in Paris, she began her career as a model before representing France and becoming runner-up in the 1958 Miss World competition.

Turning to acting, she appeared on stage and in films including Jean Cocteau’sThe Testament of Orpheusin 1960 before winning the part inThunderballover several other better-known actresses including Rachel Welch, Faye Dunaway and Julie Christie.

Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

For her role in the Bond film, Auger — a particularly strong athlete — performed all her own stunts including the underwater swimming scenes.

Whether it was playing in a 007 or playing Moliere it “was the same thing,”‘ she once told an interviewer. “It was a game.”

source: people.com