Priscilla Barnes (Della Leiter in Licence to Kill) and Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter in Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace) are celebrating their 53rd and 43rd birthday, respectively, today and all of us here at FelixLeiter.com would like to wish them a wonderful happy birthday!
Happy 53rd Birthday, Priscilla Barnes!
Most people know Priscilla Barnes from her stint as Terri Alden on Three’s Company but Bond fans know her as Della Churchill, Felix Leiter’s bride in 1989′s Licence to Kill. I had the pleasure of meeting her at the International Sports and Entertainment Festival in June 2006. She’s very nice and I’ll never forgot the joke she played on me.
After autographing a picture of her as Della for me, she asked, “Would you like a condom?” I was shocked, speechless and probably turned a little red. Is Priscilla Barnes advocating safe sex or does she want me to play the role of Felix in her hotel room later on? I thought. She then pulled out plastic protection in the form of a slipcase for the picture she had just signed! Make sure to visit her if she ever comes to a convention in your town because she’s awesome.
Happy 43rd Birthday, Jeffrey Wright!
After being absent from the big screen for 17 years, Felix Leiter returned in 2006′s Casino Royale in the form of Jeffrey Wright. Before Jeffrey Wright was cast, I was against the notion of an African American actor playing Felix Leiter onscreen and had never liked Bernie Casey being cast in the role in Never Say Never Again (1983).
To my surprise, I was indifferent to Wright’s cast; I figured I’d give him a chance since Eon Productions had never let me down before. When I saw Casino Royale for the first time, I was blown away by Wright’s performance. Not since Jack Lord had the character been so cool! I enjoyed Wright’s portrayal and lines so much that he immediately became my favorite cinematic Felix Leiter. Leiter is supposed to be the United States’ version of James Bond and Wright’s portrayal definitely lives up to that expectation. I hope he stays in the role for many years to come (or at least as long as Daniel Craig plays 007).
I’m such a big fan of Jeffrey Wright and his Leiter that I plan on naming my first son Jeffrey Wright (my last name is Wright, FYI). No joke.
Wright’s latest film, Cadillac Records, hit US theaters on Friday so I highly recommend checking it out if you’re a Yank!
–
Related Articles:
Norman Burton Born 85 Years Ago Today
Norman Burton Passed Away 5 Years Ago Today
John Gardner Passed Away A Year Ago Today
Happy 69th Birthday, Bernie Casey!
Happy 81st Birthday, David Hedison!
Rik Van Nutter Born 79 Years Ago Today
Cec Linder Passed Away 16 Years Ago Today
From Bachelors to Widowers: A Tragic Bond
12.07.2008 @ 1:00 am
Thanks for this. http://felixleiter.com/ is now in my feed reader, I’ll keep and eye out for your next story. I like the layout of your site, nice and clean and easy to read. Thakns.
