Barbara Carrera as Fatima Blush in “Never Say Never Again”
Barbara Carrera is best known for being an iconic Bond girl. This Nicaraguan-American beauty was a natural for her roles as seductive femme fatales, and her memorable performance as the villainous SPECTRE assassin Fatima Blush in the 1983 James Bond film “Never Say Never Again” opposite Sean Connery was one of the few bright spots in this mediocre movie. At 5′ 9″ tall she had the presence to pull off this badass character.
Barbara claims she was first offered a part in the 1983 Bond film “Octopussy” opposite Roger Moore, but then turned down the role to work with Connery instead (that was the year of two Bond films).
Barbara began her career as a top fashion model, signing with the Eileen Ford Agency at age 17 and adopting her mother’s maiden name, Carrera. Her exotic looks graced the covers and pages of major magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Paris Match, and Playboy throughout the 1960s and 1970s, establishing her as a prominent figure in the fashion world before transitioning to acting.
Her breakout came with “The Master Gunfighter” (1975), earning her a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year – Actress. She also starred in notable films like “The Island of Dr. Moreau” (1977). Her portrayal of Fatima Blush (described as deliciously warped and flamboyant) earned her a second Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She embraced the craziness of the character and became one of the more memorable Bond girls.
She also appeared in a number of televsions shows, including 25 episodes of “Dallas” during its ninth season (1985–1986).
Interviews and Quotes
1976 Interview
Here a young and beautiful Barbara discusses her career as a model and her emerging acting career.
From IMDb: “The secret to modeling is to develop character before the camera. In addition to looking beautiful, you need to develop a personality to add intrigue. I think that also applies to acting.”
Barbara as a Model
Gold Bathingsuit Photo
You can see just how gorgeous Barbara looked in a swimsuit with this poster available for purchase on Amazon.
Art.com – Never Say Never Again Photo Print
Here’s an amazing print of this stunning Latina model in a red swimsuit from her Bond movie.