Sean Connery’s James Bond co-star shot himself before 007 film wrapped | Films | Entertainment

When it reached the point where he could no longer work, Armendáriz had a stunt double and even director Terence Young would stand in for him in the last two months of production.

Unable to carry on and with just weeks of his life remaining, the Bond actor headed to a hospital near his home. There, the Mexican actor smuggled a gun in and committed suicide on June 18, 1963, at the age of 51.

Following Armendáriz’s sudden loss, From Russia with Love had to have uncredited rewrites by Berkely Mather during filming.

Peter Hunt began editing the movie despite the shoot being behind schedule and over budget in an effort to meet the premiere date. He helped restructure the Connery Bond movie’s opening scenes with a suggestion by Young.

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