Advertisement

The Spy Who Loved Me star Bryan Marshall dies at 81

Bryan Marshall in The Spy Who Loved Me (Credit: United Artists)
Bryan Marshall in The Spy Who Loved Me (Credit: United Artists)

Bryan Marshall, the actor who played Commander Talbot in Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me, has died at the age of 81.

Marshall, who emigrated to Australia in 1983, also went to to pick up roles in Australian soaps Neighbours and Home & Away.

His death was confirmed by his agent Esta Charkham, who tweeted: “So sad that my dear old chum Bryan Marshall has gone on ahead.

“A wonderful actor - he was so good you never noticed how good he was. He was a valued chum. His credits are a catalogue of classic British and Australian TV. Fare Forward Dearest Bryan.”

She added to PA: “I will always remember him with a smile on my face because he was the kindest man in the world and a really lovely actor.

“He was a Battersea boy who got a scholarship to RADA [Royal Academy of Dramatic Art], a proper working class actor who had a fantastic and eclectic career.

“I will remember him with love and respect.”

Marshall appeared alongside Roger Moore in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me, playing the nuclear submarine commander whose vessel is hijacked and is later rescued by Bond.

But he had a wealth of other screen credits to his name, including roles in Hammer movie Rasputin The Mad Monk, Alfie and The Long Good Friday.

After moving to Australia he appeared in the likes of BMX Bandits, and early Marvel adaptation The Punisher with Dolph Lundgren.

On the small screen, he picked up roles in Prisoner, The Flying Doctors, Heartbeat, The Bill, Dalziel and Pascoe and The Avengers, and was the original host of Australia's Most Wanted.