Ursula Andress, born on March 19, 1936, in Ostermundigen, Switzerland, is a Swiss actress and former model who gained international fame for her role as Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962) [1]. This iconic role established her as a global sex symbol and a prominent figure in the film industry.
Andress's early life was marked by her multilingual education and artistic pursuits. She studied art in Paris and worked various jobs in Rome before entering the film industry [1]. Her career began with walk-on parts in Italian films, which eventually led to her being noticed by Hollywood executives [1]. Despite initial challenges, including a reluctance to learn English, Andress's breakthrough came with Dr. No, where her performance and memorable entrance in a white bikini became legendary [1].
Following her success in Dr. No, Andress starred in numerous films across different genres and countries. Some of her notable works include Fun in Acapulco (1963), 4 for Texas (1963), She (1965), The 10th Victim (1965), The Blue Max (1966), Clash of the Titans (1981), and Peter the Great (1986) [1]. Her career spanned over five decades, during which she became a celebrated actress in American, British, and Italian cinema.
Andress's personal life has been equally eventful, with high-profile relationships and a marriage to actor John Derek from 1957 to 1966[1]. She has one child, Dimitri Hamlin, with actor Harry Hamlin[2]. Throughout her career, Andress has been recognized for her contributions to the film industry and remains a significant figure in cinematic history.