Ursula Andress is a Swiss-American actress and former model best recognized for her role as Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film, Dr. No. She’s also known for being a Sex symbol. In 1964, she won the Golden Globe Award for “New Star of the Year” for her performance in Dr. No, which earned her induction into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 2002. In addition, Empire magazine selected her as one of the “100 Hottest Stars in film history” in 1995.
Ursula Andress became a movie star in the 1960s to early 1990s. She has appeared in movies such as Fun in Acapulco. The 10th Victim, Up to His Ears, The Blue Max, Casino Royale, Once Before I Die, and The Mountain of the Cannibal God are among her credits. The Fifth Musketeer and Clash of Titans.
Family And Early Life Of Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress was born on March 19, 1936, in Ostermundigen, Switzerland. Her parents are Anna and Rolf. Ursula’s father was thrown out of the country for political reasons when she was a youngster; she subsequently lived with her grandfather. She attended school in Bern until she was 16 and then studied art at the Academy of Paris in France. Following that, Andress worked as a nanny in Rome before becoming an actress.
Ursula Andress | Early Career
Andress began her career in Italian films in the mid-1950s. She was discovered at a party and landed minor parts in “An American in Rome,” “The Sins of Casanova,” and “La Catena Dell’odio.” Andress moved to Hollywood in late 1955 under a seven-year contract with Paramount Pictures.
However, she could not land any acting parts because she feared learning English. So finally, Andress bought herself out of the contract. She then signed with Columbia Pictures and couldn’t make a film for the company.
Ursula Andress | Career Breakthrough
In 1962, Andress became a global celebrity when she was cast as Honey Ryder in the first James Bond picture, “Dr. No.” Nikki van der Zyl dubbed her due to her strong accent.
Despite her voice never being heard, Andress instantly became legendary for her performance; she is especially remembered for emerging from the sea in a tiny white bikini with a huge knife.
Ursula Andress | Further Film Career
Following her debut in “Dr. No,” Andress played the female lead in the Elvis Presley musical “Fun in Acapulco” in 1963. She was also a part of the Western comedy “4 for Texas” that same year with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Anita Ekberg.
In 1965, Andress had her most productive year on the screen to date, appearing in five films: the drama “Nightmare in the Sun,” the adventure film “She,” the comedies “What’s New Pussycat?” and “Up to His Ears,” as well as the Italian-French farce “The 10th Victim.”
Andress returned to Hollywood in the late 1960s, where she played George Peppard’s love interest in the action film “The Blue Max.” She next appeared on screen as Vesper Lynd in the James Bond parody “Casino Royale,” followed by an Italian comedy called “Anyone Can Play” and a fantastic adventure drama titled “The Southern Star.”
In the early 1970s, Andress played a leading role in the British caper film “Perfect Friday” and the international Spaghetti Western “Red Sun.” She subsequently appeared in several Italian movies, including “Stateline Motel,” “Loaded Guns,” “Africa Express,” “The Sensuous Nurse,” Sex with smile II “The Loves and Times of Scaramouche,” and “Double Murder.”
In the cult horror classic “Slave of the Cannibal God,” she starred with Stacy Keach. She closed out the 1990s with “Tigers in Lipstick” and “The Fifth Musketeer,” a swashbuckler. Andress followed it up as Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, in 1981’s fantasy adventure film “Clash of the Titans.”
Her film career took a back seat for a time, but she subsequently resurfaced in more recent years. Since then, she’s been in “Red Bells,” the third and fourth installments of the “Fantaghirò” series, and the fifth installment of the “Cremaster” cycle.
Ursula Andress | Television Career
In 1962, Andress made her debut on British TV in an episode of the anthology series “Thriller.” However, she didn’t return to television until more than two decades later, when she featured in a 1983 episode of the action-adventure series “Manimal.”
Andress appeared in episodes of “The Love Boat” and the mini-series “Peter the Great.” In 1988, she played a three-episode part on the prime-time soap opera “Falcon Crest.”
Awards & Achievements
- Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year 1964
Relationship Of Ursula Andress
Andress has had a lot of love affairs with prominent males. She claims she lost her virginity to married French actor Daniel Gelin when she was 17. After moving to the United States, Andress began dating actors James Dean and Dennis Hopper; in 1957, she began an affair with married actor and director John Derek, who abandoned his family for her at age 19.
The pair divorced in 1964 following Andress’s affair with actor Ron Ely, and the divorce was finalized in 1966. While the couple was apart, Andress dated actors John Richardson and Marcello Mastroianni, both of whom she had worked with onscreen.
From 1965 to 1972, Andress lived with another of her costars, Jean-Paul Belmondo. From 1973 to 1977, she shared a home with Fabio Testi. In 1979, Andress began dating Harry Hamlin, her “Clash of the Titans” costar; they had a son named Dimitri. Her next long-term relationship was with Fausto Fagone, who was 30 years younger than her.
In 1991, the couple split. Andress has been linked to Ryan O’Neal, John Delorean, Franco Nero, Helmut Berger, Gerardo Amato, and Julio Iglesias, among her other famous exes.
Ursula Andress | Net Worth
Ursula Andress is an actress who has worked in film and television throughout her career. She has been acting professionally for over 50 years. Her earnings as an actor came mostly from movies and television programs. According to 2022, her net worth is expected to be $30 million.
Social Media Presence
Ursula Andress is not active on any social media platforms.
Additional Information
Сеlеbrаtеd Nаmе: | Ursula Andress |
Nickname: | Sex Symbol |
Rеаl Nаmе/Full Nаmе: | Ursula Andress |
Gеndеr: | Female |
Аgе: | 86 |
Віrth Dаtе: | 19 March 1936 |
Віrth Рlасе: | Ostermundigen, Switzerland |
Nаtіоnаlіtу: | Swiss-American |
Неіght: | 1.65m |
Ѕехuаl Оrіеntаtіоn: | Straight |
Relationship Ѕtаtuѕ: | Divorced |
Spouse(Ex): | John Derek |
Рrоfеѕѕіоn: | Actress, Model |
Nеt Wоrth іn 2022: | $30 million |