As a fan who grew up idolizing the James Bond films, the news of Merry Saltzman‘s passing leaves me deeply saddened. Her connection to the iconic franchise and her father’s significant role in its creation have always been fascinating to me.
Merry Saltzman, the eldest child of Harry Saltzman, known for co-producing the initial nine James Bond movies, has passed away at the age of 77.
I sadly bid farewell on October 30th, from my humble abode in San Jose, California, following a swift struggle against cancer, as shared by my loved ones to The Hollywood Reporter. In this virtual world, it feels like I’ve lost a fellow gamer and storyteller.
2019 saw Saltzman functioning as an associate producer for the movie “Mermaid Down”. Four years prior, she disclosed her acquisition of the rights for a stage production titled “James Bond: The Musical”. This comic spin-off was intended to debut on either Las Vegas or Broadway stages, but unfortunately, it never came to fruition.
Saltzman was born on December 21, 1946, in Manhattan, to Herschel Saltzman, a Canadian, and his first wife, Tanya. Prior to his film career, Saltzman’s father had served as a spy during wartime, and significantly supported the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force and the U.S. secret service OSS, according to family accounts.
Shortly after her birth, Merry and her mother ventured to cities like Algiers, Paris, New York, and Washington with unique post-war permits. By the age of 9, she had witnessed her father create movies such as “Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion” (1955) and “The Entertainer” (1960).
Harry Saltzman obtained the film rights for the Bond novels from author Ian Fleming in 1961, and he along with Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli produced the initial nine James Bond films, starting from Dr. No (released in 1962) up to The Man With the Golden Gun (released in 1974).
Simultaneously, Merry was socializing with individuals such as Fleming, Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Michael Caine, and Cary Grant. They were engaging in a game of hide-and-seek among the palm trees at Goldeneye, Jamaica.
Though she possessed the creative flair that our dad had, she opted for a more tranquil existence away from the glare of Hollywood, deriving joy from everyday pleasures and spreading her kindness to all those nearby, as her family explained.
She is survived by her long-time partner Larry Lang and her brother Steven. Regrettably, her siblings Christopher and Hilary passed away in 1991 and 2019. Her father succumbed to a heart attack in Paris at the age of 78 during a visit there in September 1994.
Donations in her memory can be made to the American Cancer Society.
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2024-11-09 18:55