Ursula Andress was born on 19 March 1936 in Switzerland. She was an actress, former model, and sex symbol. The first James Bond film to feature her was Dr. No (1962), in which she played Bond girl Honey Ryder. In 1955, she starred in ‘The Sins of Casanova, which was viewed as the sex symbol of the time. As a director, she directed ‘An American in Rome’ and ‘La catena dell’odio‘ in 1954.
Additionally, she has also appeared in ‘Perfect Friday’ (1970), ‘Red Sun’ (1971), ‘Motel of Fear’ (1973), ‘Africa Express’ (1975), ‘The Sensuous Nurse’ (1975), ‘The Loves and Times of Scaramouche’ (1976), ‘Slave of the Cannibal God’ (1978), ‘Tigers in Lipstick’ (1979), ‘Red Bells’ (1982).
The actress gained international fame as Honey Ryder in Dr. No (1962), the first Bond movie, although her dialogue had to be dubbed by Nikki van der Zyl. Her appearance from the Caribbean Sea, wearing a white bikini and a diving knife on her hip, became an iconic moment in fashion and cinema history.
This scene cemented Andress’s role as the ultimate Bond girl. That white bikini launched her career: “This bikini made me a success.”. As the first Bond girl in Dr. No, my role gave me the freedom to choose my future parts while simultaneously becoming financially independent.