Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress – Actress (F)
Biography / Gallery / Links
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Birth name: Ursula Andress
Date of birth: 19 March 1936
Place of birth: Bern, Switzerland
Category: Actress
Marital status: formerly married to John Derek (actor/director), later relationship with Harry Hamlin
Children: 1 son, Lorenzo Rispoli (with Harry Hamlin)
Parents: Father: Rolf Andress (diplomat), Mother: Anna Andress
Career & Iconic Status
Ursula Andress first captured worldwide attention when she made history as the original “Bond girl,” portraying Honey Ryder in the 1962 film Dr. No — the very first film in the James Bond franchise. For that role she was reportedly paid US$10,000, and her appearance instantly cemented her status as an international sex symbol and screen icon.
Her success in Dr. No opened doors quickly. She starred opposite Hollywood legends such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in Four for Texas (1963), and shared the screen with Elvis Presley in Fun in Acapulco (1963). Embracing her fame, Andress posed for Playboy — a bold move at the time — solidifying her image of confident glamour and sensuality.
In 1964, she won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer, a recognition of her impact on film and stardom. She went on to headline adventure and fantasy films such as She (1965), where she played Ayesha — “She Who Must Be Obeyed” — alongside Hammer regulars like Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. She declined the sequel Vengeance of She, and reportedly turned down the iconic Raquel Welch role in One Million Years B.C., opting instead to control her own image and career trajectory.
Through the late 1960s and 1970s, her career continued with roles in notable films like What’s New, Pussycat? (1965) and the James-Bond spoof Casino Royale (1967), maintaining her presence in both European and Hollywood cinema. Her mix of beauty, charisma, and on-screen daring made her one of the era’s most memorable actresses.
Personal Life & Later Years
Off-screen, Andress’ life was as colourful as her screen roles. She was married to actor/director John Derek in the late 1950s — a union often cited in gossip columns. Later she was in a relationship with actor Harry Hamlin, with whom she shares her son, Lorenzo Rispoli. Despite the turmoil and the public interest, Andress maintained her dignity and independence throughout.
Over the decades, Ursula divided her time between Europe and the United States, ultimately settling between homes in Rome and elsewhere. Though she gradually stepped back from major film roles, her legacy remained alive — through her unforgettable Bond debut, her status as a 1960s icon, and her influence on generations of actresses who followed.
Legacy
Today, Ursula Andress remains celebrated as the definitive original Bond girl — a title no other can claim. Her breakthrough in Dr. No reshaped how cinema and popular culture viewed female beauty, strength, and sensuality. She demonstrated that women could be both glamorous and compelling lead characters.
Even decades later, her impact endures. In retrospectives, film histories, and pop-culture discussions, Andress stands out as a symbol of a bold, glamorous era. Younger generations discover her legacy as a standard-setter in beauty, confidence, and screen presence — and, for many, Ursula Andress remains an immortal icon of cinematic history.
Links
Photo c. belongs to the various photographers
Ursula Andress Signed Items @ ebay.co.uk
- Cremaster 5 (1997) .... Queen
- Alles gelogen (1996)
- Behind the Scenes with Goldfinger (1995) (V) (archive footage) .... Honeychile Rider in Dr. No/Goldfinger trailer
- Behind the Scenes with Thunderball (1995) (V) (archive footage) .... Honeychile Rider in Dr. No
- Fantaghirò IV (1994) (TV) .... Xellesia
... aka Cave of the Golden Rose IV (1994) (TV) - Fantaghirò III (1993) (TV) .... Xellesia
... aka Cave of the Golden Rose III (1993) (TV) - Professore - Diva, Il (1989) (TV)
... aka Another Falling Star (1989) (TV) - Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders (1989) (TV) .... Betty Starr
- Klassäzämekunft (1988)
... aka Class Reunion (1988)
... aka Klassentreffen (1988) - Peter the Great (1986) (mini) TV Series .... Athalie
- Liberté, égalité, choucroute (1985)
- Carnival in Rio (1983) (TV) .... Herself, at Carnival
- Manimal (1983) (TV) .... Karen
- Krasnye kolokola, film pervyj - Meksika v ogne (1982) .... Mabel Dodge
... aka Campanas rojas (1982) (Mexico)
... aka Krasnye kolokola (1982) (Soviet Union: Russian title: short title)
... aka Mexico in Flames (1982)
... aka Red Bells (1982) - Falcon Crest (1981) TV Series .... Madam Malec
- Clash of the Titans (1981) .... Aphrodite
- Fifth Musketeer, The (1979) .... Louise de la Vallière
... aka Behind the Iron Mask (1979)
... aka Geheimnis der eisernen Maske, Das (1979) (West Germany) - Letti selvaggi (1979)
... aka Camas calientes (1979)
... aka Tigers in Lipstick (1979) (USA)
... aka Wild Beds (1979) - Doppio delitto (1978) .... principessa Dell'Orso
... aka Double Murders (1978)
... aka Enquête à l'italienne (1978) (France) - Montagna del Dio cannibale, La (1978) .... Susan Stevenson
... aka Mountain of Cannibal Gods (1978)
... aka Prisoner of the Cannibal God (1978)
... aka Slave of the Cannibal God (1978) - Affittacamere, L' (1976)
- Infermiera, L' (1976) .... Anna
... aka I Will If You Will (1976)
... aka Nurse, The (1976)
... aka Secrets of a Sensuous Nurse, The (1976) (USA)
... aka Sensuous Nurse, The (1976) - Safari Express (1976)
- Spogliamoci così senza pudor (1976)
... aka Love in 4 Easy Lessons (1976)
... aka Sex with a Smile 2 (1976) - Africa Express (1975) .... Madeleine Cooper
... aka Africa Expreß - Ein Teufelskerl in Africa (1975) (West Germany)
... aka Tropical Express (1975) - Avventure e gli amori di Scaramouche, Le (1975) .... Josephine De Beauharnais
... aka Loves and Times of Scaramouche, The (1975) (USA)
... aka Scaramouche (1975)
... aka Skaramus u ratu i ljubavi (1975) (Yugoslavia: Serbian title) - Due cuori una cappella (1975)
- Ultima chance, L' (1975) .... Michelle Nolton
... aka Last Chance (1975)
... aka Last Chance for a Born Loser (1975)
... aka Stateline Motel (1975) (USA) - Colpo in canna (1974) .... Nora Green
... aka Loaded Guns (1974)
... aka Stick 'em Up, Darlings (1974) - Soleil rouge (1971) .... Cristina
... aka Red Sun (1971) (USA) - Perfect Friday (1970) .... Britt
- Southern Star, The (1969) .... Erica Kramer
- Dolci signore, Le (1967) .... Norma
... aka Anyone Can Play (1967) (USA) - Casino Royale (1967) .... Vesper Lynd (007)
... aka Charles K. Feldman's Casino Royale (1967) - Blue Max, The (1966) .... Countess Kaeti von Klugermann
- Decima vittima, La (1965) .... Caroline Meredith
... aka Tenth Victim, The (1965) (UK) - Once Before I Die (1965) .... Alex
- Tribulations d'un chinois en Chine, Les (1965) .... Alexandrine Pinardel
... aka Chinese Adventures in China (1965) (USA)
... aka Uomo di Hong Kong, L' (1965) (Italy)
... aka Up to His Ears (1965) (UK) - What's New, Pussycat (1965) .... Rita
... aka Quoi de neuf, Pussycat? (1965) (France) - Nightmare in the Sun (1965) .... Wife
- She (1965/I) .... Ayesha (She who must be obeyed)
- 4 for Texas (1963) .... Maxine Richter
- Fun in Acapulco (1963) .... Marguerita Dauphin
- Dr. No (1962) .... Honey Ryder
- Catena dell'odio, La (1955)
- Americano a Roma, Un (1954)
- Avventure di Giacomo Casanova, Le (1954)
... aka Adventures of Giacomo Casanova (1954) (International: English title: literal title)
... aka Aventures et les amours de Casanova, Les (1954) (France)
... aka Loves of Casanova, The (1954)
... aka Sins of Casanova (1954) (USA)
Photo c. belongs to the various photographers
Ursula Andress memorabilia @ eBay UK (direct link)