British-French actor Michael Lonsdale, who played the famous villain "Hugo Drax" opposite Roger Moore in the 1979 hit James Bond movie Moonraker, died at the age of 89.
He died at his home in French capital Paris, where he was born on May 24, 1931 to a British military officer and a French mother.
He spent his early days in Britain and Casablanca and returned to France to study Dramatic art. He launched his career as a theatre artist in the year 1955 and stepped into films a year later.
Big breakthrough came in his career when he acted in the legendary French film maker Francois Truffaut's two movies in the year 1968. His career spanned 6 decades with various shades of roles in around 200 films, including the ones he did in movies like 'The Day of the Jackal', 'Ronin' and 'Munich'.
The highlight of Lonsdale's acting happened in the year 2010 when he played a Trappist monk in the film 'Of Gods and Men'. He was awarded the prestigious Cesar Award, the french version of Oscars, in the year 2011 for his supporting role in 'Of Gods and Men'.
"We are very sad to learn of the passing of Michael Lonsdale, who played Hugo Drax in Moonraker. He was an extraordinarily talented actor and a very dear friend. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time," said Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, the producers of James Bond movies.
"We are very sad to learn of the passing of Michael Lonsdale, who played Hugo Drax in Moonraker. He was an extraordinarily talented actor and a very dear friend. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time” – Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. pic.twitter.com/oMepLcSP0d
— James Bond (@007) September 21, 2020
Michale Lonsdale's 'Moonraker' hero Roger Moore tweeted "As Hugo Drax he was a smooth-tongued and cultured adversary to 007".
Terribly saddened to learn Michael Lonsdale has also passed away today. As Hugo Drax he was a smooth-tongued and cultured adversary to 007 in Moonraker. pic.twitter.com/qoBbziZlZ9
— Sir Roger Moore (Legacy) (@sirrogermoore) September 21, 2020
On working with Buñuel: "One day, when I didn't understand why I had to hold my glass very high, he answered that it pleased him. I considered this a very valid explanation."
— Richard Brody (@tnyfrontrow) September 21, 2020
RIP Michael Lonsdale, a long, brilliant career, AND one of the finest and most quotable Bond villains. https://t.co/9EabTDg7Eq
— James Moran (@jamesmoran) September 21, 2020
RIP #MichaelLonsdale one of the most underrated, nuanced Bond villains. Magnificent actor. A class act through and through. pic.twitter.com/hCYZWkwKsE
— JONATHAN SOTHCOTT (@sothcott) September 21, 2020
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