James Bond actress dies at 80

Pamela Salem, the actress who starred as Miss Moneypenny in the 1983 James Bond film “Never Say Never Again,” died Wednesday. She was 80.

Big Finish Productions, the audiobook and podcast company Salem worked with, broke the news of her death Friday on its website.

“Everyone at Big Finish was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Pamela Salem on 21 February 2024 at the age of 80,” the announcement began.

The statement also featured statements from some of Salem’s collaborators, including director Ken Bentley, whom she worked with on the “Doctor Who” audio series “Counter-Measures.”

“Every time Pamela walked into the studio she brought the Florida sunshine with her,” he wrote. “She was such great company, always smiling, with so much enthusiasm for the small things in life that bring us all joy, like walking your dog along the beach. She had many gifts but her superpower was her ability to single-handedly restore your faith in human nature.”

Her wide-ranging career included multiple roles in touring plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Pinter and Ayckbourn.

She also starred alongside Sean Connery in two films: “The Great Train Robbery” in 1978 and the Bond movie “Never Say Never Again” in 1983.

Sci-fi and fantasy fans might also know Salem from the British TV shows “Blake’s 7,” “Into the Labyrinth” and “The Tripods.”

She also appeared in nine episodes of “Doctor Who,” which kicked off her relationship with Big Finish.

Her TV credits include “ER” and “The West Wing.”