MACNEE, PATRICK

Contributed by: The James Bond Movie Encyclopedia by Steven Jay Rubin

(February 6, 1922–June 25, 2015): Dapper British actor, best known for the television series The Avengers, who joined James Bond (Roger Moore) as a fellow agent and horse expert Sir Godfrey Tibbett in A View to a Kill. Working undercover as Bond’s chauffeur, Tibbett provides much of the film’s early comic relief as he stumbles around with 007’s luggage and chafes at Bond’s condescending remarks as they try to trick the security team of billionaire industrialist Max Zorin (Christopher Walken).

Born in Paddington, London, Macnee made his credited big-screen debut as Tony in director Mario Zampi’s thriller The Fatal Night (1948). After years of film and television roles, Macnee struck gold when he assumed the role of British agent John Steed in The Avengers (159 episodes, 1961–1969). His first female partner was none other than Honor Blackman, who would soon take the iconic role of Pussy Galore in Goldfinger. When Blackman left the series to pursue her film career, she was replaced by a fetching Diana Rigg, who made a strong impression as the athletic Emma Peel. She would later leave the series herself to join James Bond (George Lazenby) in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

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