(November 20, 1943–     ): Beautiful, charismatic Japanese actress—her name is pronounced: MEE-ay HAH-mah—who portrayed Kissy, the Japanese Secret Service agent who marries Bond (Sean Connery) on Ama Island in You Only Live Twice. Although the Bond film was her most famous English-language credit, Hama was also featured in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) and King Kong Escapes (1967), as well as over seventy Japanese films.

She became a major media star in her native Japan, hosting talk programs similar to the Today show and Good Morning America. She shared memories of her Bond experience with New York Times writer Martin Fackler. “It was an honor to be a Bond girl, but once was enough,” she said. “I didn’t want that image to stick with me. I am actually a subdued and steady person, but I felt that somewhere beyond my control, others were creating a character named ‘Mie Hama.’”[1]

Hama believed that Bond director Lewis Gilbert cast her after seeing her in King Kong vs. Godzilla. “I had never seen a 007 movie, and had no idea 007 was such a huge international hit.” Hama regretted not speaking more with actor Sean Connery, whom she respectfully referred to as “Sean Connery-san.” After the film’s release, they never met again.

[1] Martin Fackler, “From Bond Girl to ‘a Normal Life,’” New York Times, March 5, 2017.