Cassandra Harris
Encyclopedia
Cassandra Harris was an Australian actress.
Born Sandra Colleen Waites in Sydney, Australia, Cassandra Harris was a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Art
. She enrolled in 1961, aged 12, under the name Sandra Gleeson. She went on to perform in the successful Sydney stage production of Boeing Boeing from 1964 to 1965. She appeared in The Greek Tycoon
(1978), Rough Cut (1980), and the James Bond
film, For Your Eyes Only
as the Countess Lisl von Schlaf
, the ill-fated mistress of Milos Colombo (played by Israeli actor Topol
). While filming this movie, her third husband, Pierce Brosnan
, met with producer Albert R. Broccoli
, which eventually led to his casting as James Bond
in four films.
Harris guest starred in several episodes of the television series Remington Steele
with her husband Brosnan; they married on 27 December 1980.
She had three children; Christopher
and Charlotte Harris, from her second marriage to Dermot Harris — a younger brother of the actor, Richard Harris
— and son Sean Brosnan (born in September 1983), from her third marriage to Pierce. Christopher and Charlotte were adopted by Brosnan after Dermot Harris died in 1986.
She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer
in 1987 and battled the illness for four years until she finally died from it on 28 December 1991, aged 43.
It was Cassandra's wish that her husband Pierce Brosnan should play the role of 007, but she died four years before he made his debut as the agent in GoldenEye
.
Born Sandra Colleen Waites in Sydney, Australia, Cassandra Harris was a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Art
National Institute of Dramatic Art
The National Institute of Dramatic Art is an Australian national training institute for students of theatre, film, and television, based in the Sydney suburb of Kensington. It is supported by the federal Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. NIDA is located adjacent...
. She enrolled in 1961, aged 12, under the name Sandra Gleeson. She went on to perform in the successful Sydney stage production of Boeing Boeing from 1964 to 1965. She appeared in The Greek Tycoon
The Greek Tycoon
The Greek Tycoon is a 1978 American drama film directed by J. Lee Thompson. The screenplay by Morton S. Fine is based on a story by Fine, Nico Mastorakis, and Win Wells loosely based on Aristotle Onassis and his relationship with Jacqueline Kennedy.-Plot:...
(1978), Rough Cut (1980), and the James Bond
James Bond (film series)
The James Bond film series is a British series of motion pictures based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond , who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming. Earlier films were based on Fleming's novels and short stories, followed later by films with original storylines...
film, For Your Eyes Only
For Your Eyes Only (film)
For Your Eyes Only is the twelfth spy film in the James Bond series and the fifth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. It marked the directorial debut of John Glen, who had worked as editor and second unit director in three other Bond films. The screenplay by Richard Maibaum...
as the Countess Lisl von Schlaf
Countess Lisl von Schlaf
Countess Lisl von Schlaf is a fictional character from the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only, portrayed by Cassandra Harris, the late wife of later Bond star Pierce Brosnan....
, the ill-fated mistress of Milos Colombo (played by Israeli actor Topol
Chaim Topol
Chaim Topol , often billed simply as Topol, is an Israeli theatrical and film performer, actor, writer and producer. He has been nominated for an Oscar and Tony Award, and has won two Golden Globes.-Early life:...
). While filming this movie, her third husband, Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
, met with producer Albert R. Broccoli
Albert R. Broccoli
Albert Romolo Broccoli, CBE , nicknamed "Cubby", was an American film producer, who made more than 40 motion pictures throughout his career, most of them in the United Kingdom, and often filmed at Pinewood Studios. Co-founder of Danjaq, LLC and EON Productions, Broccoli is most notable as the...
, which eventually led to his casting as James Bond
James Bond (character)
Royal Navy Commander James Bond, CMG, RNVR is a fictional character created by journalist and novelist Ian Fleming in 1953. He is the main protagonist of the James Bond series of novels, films, comics and video games...
in four films.
Harris guest starred in several episodes of the television series Remington Steele
Remington Steele
Remington Steele is an American television series, co-created by Robert Butler and Michael Gleason. The series, starring Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan, was produced by MTM Enterprises and first broadcast on the NBC network from 1982 to 1987. The series blended the genres of romantic...
with her husband Brosnan; they married on 27 December 1980.
She had three children; Christopher
Chris Brosnan
Chris Brosnan : Mother Cassandra Harris, Adopted FatherPierce Brosnan, whose roles include James Bond and Thomas Crown Affair. Uncle is Actor Richard HarrisWORKFILM PRODUCTION...
and Charlotte Harris, from her second marriage to Dermot Harris — a younger brother of the actor, Richard Harris
Richard Harris
Richard St John Harris was an Irish actor, singer-songwriter, theatrical producer, film director and writer....
— and son Sean Brosnan (born in September 1983), from her third marriage to Pierce. Christopher and Charlotte were adopted by Brosnan after Dermot Harris died in 1986.
She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. Symptoms are frequently very subtle early on and may include: bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and frequent urination, and are easily confused with other illnesses....
in 1987 and battled the illness for four years until she finally died from it on 28 December 1991, aged 43.
It was Cassandra's wish that her husband Pierce Brosnan should play the role of 007, but she died four years before he made his debut as the agent in GoldenEye
GoldenEye
GoldenEye is the seventeenth spy film in the James Bond series, and the first to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film was directed by Martin Campbell and is the first film in the series not to take story elements from the works of novelist Ian Fleming...
.