Desmond Wilkinson Llewelyn Welsh actor Date of Birth: 12.09.1914 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. World War II and Captivity
3. Career in Film
4. Notable Bond Films
5. Other Work
6. Personal Life and Legacy
7. Death and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Desmond Llewelyn was born in 1914 in Newport, South Wales, to Mia and Ivor Llewelyn. His first experiences in theater came at school, where he assisted with performances. Despite his family's objections, particularly his father's, he pursued his passion for drama and attended the Royal Academy for the Dramatic Arts in the mid-1930s.

World War II and Captivity

World War II interrupted Llewelyn's plans. He served as a lieutenant in France and was captured and interned in a German camp for five years. This experience left an enduring mark on him. Llewelyn's prejudice against Americans stemmed from an incident towards the end of the war. When liberated American soldiers asked how long he had been a prisoner, and he replied "Five years," one of them exclaimed, "Come off it! The war has only been going on three years!"

Career in Film

Upon his liberation, Llewelyn returned to London and resumed his film career. His most famous role came as Q, the gadget-inventing master armorer for the legendary secret agent 007 in the James Bond film series. Originally played by Peter Burton, the role became synonymous with Llewelyn after his first appearance in 1963's "From Russia with Love." When the 1973 film "Live and Let Die" was released without Llewelyn, public outcry demanded the return of the beloved character. He went on to portray Q in 17 Bond films, remaining in the role until his death in 1999.

Notable Bond Films

Among the notable Bond films starring Llewelyn are "Goldfinger" (1964), "Thunderball" (1965), "You Only Live Twice" (1967), and "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971). In his final appearance in 1999's "The World Is Not Enough," Llewelyn introduced Bond to his successor, who was jokingly referred to as R (the letter following Q in the alphabet). Actor John Cleese succeeded Llewelyn in the role.

Other Work

Beyond his iconic Q role, Llewelyn appeared in numerous other film and television productions, as well as commercials. His filmography includes over 80 credits, with non-Bond films such as "The Great Escape" (1963) and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (1971).

Personal Life and Legacy

Llewelyn was married to Pamela Mary from 1938 until his death. Pamela survived him by two years, passing away in 2001. In his autobiography, "Q: The Biography of Desmond Llewelyn," Llewelyn expressed his longevity in the Bond films as, "As long as the producers want me."

Death and Legacy

On December 19, 1999, Llewelyn died at the age of 85 after a head-on car collision. He was just days away from signing copies of his autobiography in London. Llewelyn's legacy as the beloved Q in the James Bond franchise remains unparalleled.