We’re saddened to share the news that French actress Claudine Auger, best known for her role as Domino alongside Sean Connery’s James Bond in the 1965 film Thunderball, passed away at the age of 78 in Paris on December 19, 2019.
Claudine, born Claudine Oger on April 26, 1941, began her career in French theatre after attending the Conservatoire of Dramatic Art. In 1965, she received an unexpected opportunity to audition for a role in a James Bond movie. However, her theatre director wouldn’t grant her time off, so she took a bold leap, flying to London for the audition one day and returning to Paris the same night. Her gamble paid off when director Terence Young offered her the role over the phone. She left her theatre job and headed straight to the Bahamas, a decision that changed her life.
Domino, a pivotal character in Thunderball, was a crucial part of the film’s plot, and many talented actresses were considered for the role, including Julie Christie, Faye Dunaway, and Luciana Paluzzi, among others. Raquel Welch was even initially cast but later released from her contract.
Ultimately, 23-year-old Claudine Auger won the role of Domino, leading to the character’s name change to Domino Derval to better fit her French nationality and accent. Although she had taken English lessons and performed admirably, her voice was dubbed in the final movie.
The fourth James Bond film had a larger budget and a lengthy 18-week shooting schedule. Claudine Auger tackled the hard work and intense publicity with grace and humor, forming a strong bond with Sean Connery. She even praised Connery as a modern hero capable of tenderness.
Claudine Auger embraced her role as a ‘Bond woman’ and defended the idea that these characters were women of the nuclear age, showcasing brains and beauty. She continued to work in the film industry, appearing in movies like Triple Cross (1966) alongside Christopher Plummer and in TV series during the 1970s and 1980s. Her last known appearance was in an episode of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes in 1994. She is survived by her daughter, Jessica.
French actress Claudine Auger, best known for playing Domino in the James Bond movie Operation Tonnerre, passed away on December 18th, 2019 in Paris at the age of 78. She passed away after suffering from a protracted illness. She was buried at the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris, next to her late husband Peter Brent, who passed away in 2008. His grave is in Division 5, a short distance to the left of Michèle Morgan’s and Gérard Oury’s. will be remembered and missed. Rest in peace.”
Biography
Auger was born in Paris, France, in 1941. She began her career as a model, and in 1958, she was crowned Miss France Monde. She went on to finish as the first runner-up in the Miss World pageant.
Auger began her acting career in the late 1950s, appearing in a number of French and Italian films. In 1965, she was cast as Domino Derval in Thunderball, opposite Sean Connery. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Auger became one of the most famous Bond girls of all time.
After Thunderball, Auger continued to act in films and television shows. She appeared in a number of European films, including Triple Cross (1966) and The Killing Game (1967). She also had roles in American films such as The Bermuda Triangle (1978) and Credo (1983).
Auger retired from acting in the mid-1990s. She died in Paris in 2019 at the age of 78.
Auger was a beautiful and talented actress who made a significant contribution to cinema. She is best remembered for her role as Domino Derval in Thunderball, but she also had a successful career in European films. She was a true icon of the James Bond franchise and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of actresses.
Filmography
- Christine (1958)
- Le Testament d’Orphée (1960)
- Terrain vague (1960)
- Les Moutons de Panurge (1961)
- Les Sept Péchés capitaux (1962)
- À la française (1962)
- La Masque de fer (1962)
- Kali Yug, la dea della vendetta (1963)
- Il mistero del tempio indiano (1963)
- Yoyo (1965)
- Thunderball (1965)
- Triple Cross (1966)
- The Killing Game (1967)
- Jeux d’adultes (1967)
- The Red and the Black (TV movie, 1970)
- Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971)
- Le Masque de fer (TV movie, 1973)
- The Bermuda Triangle (1978)
- Credo (1983)
- La bocca (1991)
- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (TV miniseries, 1994)
- Desire (1994)
- L’ombra della sera (TV movie, 1995)
- Men Always Lie (1995)
FAQ :
How old was Claudine Auger?
Claudine Auger was born on April 26, 1941 and died on December 18, 2019. She was 78 years old when she passed away.
How old was Domino in Thunderball?
Domino Derval, the character played by Claudine Auger in Thunderball, was 24 years old when the film was released in 1965. This is the same age as Claudine Auger was at the time.
What happened to Domino in Thunderball?
Domino Derval is a French agent who is seduced by SPECTRE operative Emilio Largo in order to gain access to her father’s NATO nuclear warheads. However, she eventually falls in love with James Bond and helps him to defeat SPECTRE and recover the warheads.
Where was Thunderball filmed?
Thunderball was filmed in a variety of locations around the world, including the Bahamas, Nassau, Paradise Island, Pinewood Studios in England, and the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia.
