The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Pamela Salem, the renowned actress celebrated for her roles in both James Bond and Doctor Who.
Salem, who graced the silver screen as Miss Moneypenny in the 1983 James Bond film Never Say Never Again, passed away at the age of 80 on Wednesday, February 21.
Big Finish, a British production company for whom Salem contributed to several sci-fi audiobooks and plays, officially confirmed the sorrowful news of her passing.
“We are utterly heartbroken to confirm the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pamela Salem,” they said in a statement.
Born January 22, 1944, Salem’s career spanned both television and film, showcasing her versatile talents. In the early 1980s, she gained recognition for her co-starring role as the malevolent witch Belor in the ITV children’s fantasy series Into the Labyrinth. Her late 1980s guest appearance in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as the shady mafia affiliate Joanne Francis further demonstrated her acting prowess.
Notably, Salem left a mark on the world of science fiction with two appearances in Doctor Who. She played Toos in The Robots of Death (1977) and Professor Rachel Jensen in Remembrance of the Daleks (1988), later reprising the latter role for Big Finish Productions’ audio drama spin-off series Counter Measures.
Her contributions also extended to popular British series such as Blake’s 7, The Professionals, and French Fields, where she had a recurring role from 1989 to 1991.
In the realm of film, Salem’s notable performance included portraying Miss Moneypenny in the 1983 James Bond film Never Say Never Again. Her cinematic journey also featured roles in Michael Crichton’s The First Great Train Robbery (1979), The Bitch (1979), and Gods and Monsters (1998), among others.
The news of Salem’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media, with fans expressing their grief while celebrating her contributions to the world of entertainment.
Very sad to hear that the beautiful Pamela Salem has passed… What a stunning actor she was… RIP😢 pic.twitter.com/3EfWWmA7r2
— Phil Newman 🇺🇦🌈🎭♎ (@philnewmandsign) February 22, 2024
Just watched in memory of Pamela Salem. pic.twitter.com/xmRvu4u8Av
— Bobby Dazzler 🏳️🌈🐱 (@BobbyDazz12) February 24, 2024
Raising a glass to the beautiful, brilliant Pamela Salem. Another much-loved veteran of both Doctor Who and Blake’s 7, she was also a fine Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again, and on stage a striking Lady M opposite Paul Darrow’s Macbeth. Now that was a night out at the theatre. pic.twitter.com/Mmp4jlclJA
— Nicholas Pegg (@NicholasPegg) February 23, 2024
Oh shit. Now #PamelaSalem has died. This isn’t a good day. One of those actresses who was so solid, finding the truth in every role and externalising it. She was fab. RIP. #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/MCy5d5yN0l
— Paul Carmichael (@PaulCarmichaelV) February 23, 2024
Very sad to hear that Pamela Salem has passed away. A true star. pic.twitter.com/VHAHXzjiSs
— Jonathan Helm (@JonLHelm) February 22, 2024
I’m not one for celebrities crushes but Pamela Salem was the exception. Just a beautiful person and wonderfully talented actor. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/trbwzixUTH
— From the Archive (@FromtheArchive) February 22, 2024
Such sad news to hear Pamela Salem has died 😞 she was fantastic in arguably two of the best Doctor Who stories there’s ever been. She was such a lovely lady to meet too, always so chatty and interested in you. She’ll be much much missed pic.twitter.com/eQbCMyXTpj
— David M✌🏻 (@MrsRemingtonFan) February 22, 2024