Britt Ekland Young: Then And Now Photos Of The Bond Girl And Horror Icon

By | April 10, 2020

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Left: Britt Ekland in 'The Wicker Man' (1973). Right: Ekland in 'The Bobo' (1967). Source: IMDB

Swedish bombshell Britt Ekland secured her place in movie history as a gun moll in Get Carter (1971), a pagan temptress in The Wicker Man (1973), and a Bond Girl in The Man With The Golden Gun (1974).  Her international-celebrity life dates to 1964, when Peter Sellers wooed and wed the unknown actress almost like a mail-order bride. Ekland lived with Rod Stewart in the '70s and married into the Stray Cats in the '80s. Britt Ekland wasn't in the most movies, nor was she in the best ones, but she was a captivating presence on screen and a paparazzi favorite in real life. Early on, Ekland gained attention for her resemblance to Brigitte Bardot, and took inspiration from Ursula Andress -- these are not unattractive role models.

Peter Sellers Fell For Ekland Before He Even Met Her

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A young and impressionable Ekland (thenewdaily)

Ekland was a fledgling actress when comedian Peter Sellers fell in love with her -- after seeing her picture in a newspaper. The first time they met in person came when Sellers knocked on her door at the Dorchester Hotel.

"I was knocked over, absolutely stunned. I couldn't believe it," Sellers recalled. "She was so great. She wore a simple dress and her hair was like sunlight. Unbelievable." Eager to impress her, Sellers took her to Kensington Palace where she met Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon. Ekland was only 22 at the time and understandably swept off her feet.