Tania Mallet, Tilly Masterson in James Bond film Goldfinger, dies aged 77

Actor had her ‘dreadful’ pay trebled after negotiating with producers – but then abandoned a film career and returned to modelling

Tania Mallet, the model and actor who played Tilly Masterson in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger, has died aged 77. The official James Bond Twitter account confirmed the news, saying: “We are very sorry to hear that Tania Mallet who played Tilly Masterson in Goldfinger has passed away. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.”

The third Bond film after Dr No and From Russia With Love, Goldfinger memorably begins with the murder of Goldfinger’s assistant Jill Masterson after she is covered in gold paint. Mallet played Masterson’s sister Tilly, who attempts to kill Goldfinger in revenge, but is herself killed by Oddjob’s steel-rimmed bowler hat.