John Bernard Lee (10 January 1908 – 16 January 1981), better known as Bernard Lee, was an English actor, best known for his role as M in the first eleven James Bond films. Lee's career spanned 1934 to 1979, beginning on stage at the age of six. He was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Although best remembered for the Bond series, he appeared in over one hundred films, as well as on stage and television dramatisations. Lee was known for his roles as authority figures, often playing military characters or policemen and highlights in his career included The Third Man, The Blue Lamp, The Battle of the River Plate and Whistle Down the Wind.
He died on 16 January 1981, at age 73 after suffering from stomach cancer.
Read more about Bernard Lee: Life and Career, Death, Selected Stage Credits
Famous quotes containing the words bernard and/or lee:
“There is nothing on earth more exquisite than a bonny book, with well-placed columns of rich black writing in beautiful borders, and illuminated pictures cunningly inset. But nowadays, instead of looking at books, people read them. A book might as well be one of those orders for bacon and bran.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
“Lo! he babbles of the fish-frys of long ago,
Of the horse-races of long ago at Clary’s Grove,
Of what Abe Lincoln said
One time at Springfield.”
—Edgar Lee Masters (1869–1950)