Eunice Gayson, First Bond Girl, Dead at 90

Eunice Gayson, the first woman to be dubbed a Bond Girl, for starring with Sean Connery in 1962's "Dr. No," has died at age 90. The Guardian reports that the British actress passed away June 8.

Gayson memorably played Sylvia Trench in the inaugural Bond installment. It was her character who was responsible for Bond's signature catchphrase, teased out in a scene in which Connery as Bond asks for her name. "Trench, Sylvia Trench," she replies, leading to the iconic, "Bond, James Bond."

Gayson recalled of the scene, "I'd known Sean for years and I'd never seen him so nervous as he was on that day because of all these delays. He had to say Bond, James Bond, but he came out with other permutations like Sean Bond, James Connery... [The director] told me to take him away for a drink — even though he was meant to be on the wagon — so I took him off for a drink or two and he came back on set and said: 'Bond, James Bond.' It was so wonderful. The day took off from that moment."

She also holds the distinction of being the only Bond girl to appear twice in the series, resurfacing in "From Russia with Love" (1964).

Gayson made numerous TV and film appearances from 1948 until 1972, including the Hammer Horror flick "The Revenge of Frankenstein" (1958).