Britt Ekland

Britt Ekland (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈbrɪtː ˈěːkland] ( listen);

born Britt-Marie Eklund; 6 October 1942) is a Swedish actress
Britt Ekland
and singer. Ekland became famous overnight in 1964, after her
marriage with actor Peter Sellers. She appeared in numerous films
in her heyday throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including roles in
William Friedkin's The Night They Raided Minsky's (1968),
Machine Gun McCain (1969) and the British crime film Get
Carter (1971), which established her as a movie sex symbol. She
also starred in the British horror film Asylum (1972), the British
cult horror film The Wicker Man (1973) and appeared as a Bond
girl in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974).

Contents
Early life
Film career
Early roles: 1960–1970 Ekland in 1972 by Allan Warren
Sex symbol and horror roles: 1971–1988 Born Britt-Marie Eklund
Stage and television: 1989–present 6 October 1942
Personal life Stockholm, Sweden
Relationships and family Occupation Actress · singer
Legacy Years active 1959–present
Filmography Spouse(s) Peter Sellers
Film (m. 1964; div. 1968)
Television Slim Jim Phantom
Reality television (m. 1984; div. 1992)
Discography Partner(s) Lou Adler (1972–
References 1974)
External links Rod Stewart (1975–
1977)
Phil Lewis (1979–
Early life 1981)

Ekland was born Britt-Marie Eklund in Stockholm, Sweden[1] to Children 3, including Victoria
Maj Britt, a secretary, and Sven Axel Eklund, who ran an Sellers
upmarket clothing store in Stockholm and was captain of the
Swedish national curling team.[2] Ekland's mother died of Alzheimer's disease in the 1980s, which had a
profound effect on her.[3]
Ekland grew up with three younger brothers, and has said that she was overweight for much of her
childhood: "I was very heavy. God, I was brutal-looking. I always tried to be funny to make up for the fact
that I was fat and ugly."[2] As a teenager, Ekland left school to travel with a theatre company and was
spotted in a coffee shop while in Italy by a talent agent who sent her to London to audition for films.[2]

Film career

Early roles: 1960–1970

Ekland began her career with bit parts and uncredited walk-on roles, including her first onscreen role in
G.I. Blues (1960). This was followed with a small supporting part in The Happy Thieves (1960). She had
small roles in the Swedish films Kort är sommaren (1962) and Det är hos mig han har varit (1963), before
landing her first major supporting part in the George Marshall Western Advance to the Rear (1964).

In 1964, she appeared in the Christmas television film A Carol for Another Christmas with her then-
husband, Peter Sellers. She followed this with After the Fox (1966), also starring Sellers; she made one
more film with Sellers, The Bobo (1967). This was followed with a lead role as an Amish girl turned New
York City burlesque dancer in William Friedkin's musical The Night They Raided Minsky's (1968), which
earned Ekland critical acclaim.[4] Next came Stiletto (1969), a crime drama, based on a novel by Harold
Robbins, co-starring Alex Cord. She then starred in a string of Italian films, Machine Gun McCain (1969),
The Conspirators (1969), and as Antigone in The Cannibals (1970).

Sex symbol and horror roles: 1971–1988

In 1971, she was cast as a leading lady and gun moll in the iconic crime
film Get Carter, opposite Michael Caine, which firmly established her as a
blonde bombshell. The 1970s also saw Ekland in several horror films,
including What the Peeper Saw (1972) as a disturbed bride; the Agatha
Christie adaptation Endless Night (1972), playing the friend and
companion of an American heiress; and as a hallucinatory figure in the
anthology film Asylum (1972) opposite Charlotte Rampling. Her most
iconic horror role came in the 1973 cult horror film The Wicker Man, in
which she played a Pagan villager and seductress; however, her voice was
dubbed in the film to disguise her Swedish-accented English.[5]

Other roles included in the thriller The Ultimate Thrill (1974) and the
British drama Baxter! (1973). On television, she was cast in the TV film Ekland with Lee Majors in
The Six Million Dollar Man: Wine, Women and War (1973) opposite Lee The Six Million Dollar Man
Majors. Ekland's next prominent role came when she was cast as the lead (1973)
Bond girl, Mary Goodnight, in the James Bond film The Man with the
Golden Gun (1974), which received mixed reviews but furthered Ekland's
status as a sex symbol.[3][6] She played a comedy role in Royal Flash which has been described as
"perhaps her best screen work."[7]

In 1976, Ekland provided the French spoken part at the end of then-boyfriend Rod Stewart's hit single
"Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)". Ekland also portrayed biographical characters, such as the one
based on real-life actress Anny Ondra (boxer Max Schmeling's wife) in the television movie Ring of
Passion (1978). Ekland was also featured in the horror pictures The Monster Club (1980) and Satan's
Mistress (1982).
Ekland had supporting roles in independent films, and appeared in the comedy film Fraternity Vacation
(1985), followed by a role in the slasher film Moon in Scorpio (1988) and as prostitute Mariella Novotny in
the feature film Scandal (1989) about the Profumo affair.

Stage and television: 1989–present

She has guest-starred on various television series, including an appearance on the popular series Superboy,
playing an alien disguised as Lara, Superboy's biological mother, during the show's second season in 1990.
Ekland published a beauty and fitness book, Sensual Beauty: How to Achieve It (1984), followed by a
fitness video in 1992. In the BBC television series I Love the '70s (1999) she hosted the 1971 episode in
homage to her role as "Anna" in the film Get Carter.

Ekland's later career has mainly consisted of stage and television,

with her last feature film role being in The Children (1990). She
appeared on stage as a cast member in Cinderella at the Regent
Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent in December 1999 and January 2000. She
also appeared in Grumpy Old Women Live, participated in
December 2007 in the Swedish reality show Stjärnorna på slottet
(The stars at the castle) along with Peter Stormare, Arja
Saijonmaa, Jan Malmsjö and Magnus Härenstam, and in
December 2007 and January 2008 she starred again in Cinderella
at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.[8] She appeared as a guest on the
British daytime television show Loose Women, in January 2008.
Ekland in 2019
From December 2008 to January 2009, Britt Ekland starred in
Cinderella at the Shaw Theatre in London. In a rare instance of her
singing, she performed the song My Prince,[9] originally recorded by Lara Pulver on the album Act One –
Songs from the Musicals of Alexander S. Bermange. In 2009–10, she played the Fairy Godmother in
Cinderella at Princess Theatre, Torquay. In December 2010, she starred as the 'Fairy Pea Pod' in Jack and
the Beanstalk at the Kings Theatre, Southsea. She starred in further pantomimes at the Theatre Royal,
Windsor, in 2011 and 2012.

Ekland was one of the housewives of Svenska Hollywoodfruar (English: Swedish Hollywood Wives) on
TV3 during the 2013 season. In 2010, Ekland took part in the reality TV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me
Out of Here! where she was fourth to be voted off. During the programme, she developed a close
relationship with Stacey Solomon and Nigel Havers, while making an enemy of Gillian McKeith. She
participated in Let's Dance 2018 broadcast on TV4. She was the first to be eliminated on 30 March placing
11th.

In 2020, Ekland appeared in Season 4 of BBC TV's The Real Marigold Hotel.[10]

Personal life

Relationships and family

Ekland became famous overnight as a result of her 1964 whirlwind romance and marriage to English actor
and comedian Peter Sellers, who proposed after seeing her photograph in the paper and then meeting in
London.[11][12] She stood by him after he suffered a series of heart attacks shortly after their marriage.
Ekland was stepmother to Sellers' children Sarah and Michael (who died of a heart attack at about the same
age as his father). In January 1965 they had a daughter, Victoria. The
couple made three films together—A Carol for Another Christmas (1964),
After the Fox (1966) and The Bobo (1967)—before divorcing in 1968.[13]

On 17 December 1968, Lord Justice Orr granted Ekland a decree nisi for
divorce in the High Court on the grounds of cruelty by Sellers, who did
not contest the proceedings.[13]

In June 1973, Ekland had a son, Nicolai Adler, with record producer Lou
Adler.[14]

She also had a much publicised romance with rock star Rod Stewart; they
were introduced in 1975 by Joan Collins and lived together for more than
two years, with Ekland giving up her career to focus on the
relationship.[15]

From 1979–1981, she dated and became engaged to singer Phil Lewis of
the groups Girl and L.A. Guns.[16] Ekland and Peter Sellers,
1964
In 1984, at age 42, she married Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom,
who was 19 years younger than she, aged 23. They had a son, Thomas
Jefferson (born in 1988).[17] They divorced in 1992.

Legacy
In 1980, her best-selling autobiography, True Britt, was published.[18]

While Rod Stewart's domestic partner, Ekland inspired his hit song "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be
Alright)," which was 1977's overall #1 song.[19] The song features a French spoken part from Ekland.[19]

In 2004, Ekland was portrayed by Charlize Theron in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. She
accompanied Theron to the Cannes Film Festival, where she became highly emotional when she saw the
film.[20]

In the 2018 film My Dinner with Hervé, Ekland was played by Helena Mattsson.

Filmography

Film
 Film
Year Title Role Notes
1960 G.I. Blues Britta Uncredited
The Happy Thieves Mrs. Pickett
1962
Kort är sommaren Edvarda's Friend
The Commandant Iris
Det är hos mig han har varit Li's Workmate
1963
To Bed or Not to Bed Uncredited
The Prize Nudist
Advance to the Rear Greta
1964 A Carol for Another Christmas Mother
Four Bullets for Joe
1965 Do Not Disturb Party girl Uncredited
1966 After the Fox Gina Romantica
The Double Man Gina
1967 Too Many Thieves Claudia
The Bobo Olimpia Segura
1968 The Night They Raided Minsky's Rachel Schpitendavel
Stiletto Illeana
1969 Machine Gun McCain Irene Tucker
The Conspirators Princess Spada
The Year of the Cannibals Antigone
1970
Tintomara Adolphine
Percy Dorothy Chiltern-Barlow
1971 Get Carter Anna
The Stronger Woman 1 Television film
A Time for Loving Josette Papillion
Night Hair Child Elise
1972
Endless Night Greta
Asylum Lucy
Baxter! Chris Bentley
1973 The Wicker Man Willow
The Six Million Dollar Man: Wine, Women and War Katrina Volana Television film
The Ultimate Thrill Michelle Parlay
1974
The Man with the Golden Gun Mary Goodnight
1975 Royal Flash Duchess Irma
1976 High Velocity Mrs. Andersen
1977 Casanova & Co. Countess Trivulzi
1978 Slavers Anna von Erken
The Great Wallendas Jenny Wallenda Television film
1979 King Solomon's Treasure Queen Nyleptha
1980 The Hostage Tower Leah
Valley of the Dolls Françoise Mini-series
1981
The Monster Club Mrs. Busotsky
1982 Satan's Mistress Ann-Marie
Dead Wrong Penny Lancaster
1983 Erotic Images Julie Todd
Dr. Yes: The Hyannis Affair Susannah
1984 Love Scenes Annie
Fraternity Vacation Eyvette
1985
Marbella Deborah
1986 The Golden Boy Mrs. Pidlington Television film
1987 Moon in Scorpio Linda
Scandal Mariella Novotny
1989 Beverly Hills Vamp Madame Cassandra
Cold Heat Jackie Mallon
1990 The Children Lady Zinnia Wrench
2006 Search Lisa's neighbour
2020 Jeepers Creepers Fantasy Lover voice

Television
 Television
Year Title Role Notes
Armchair
1965 Karen Episode: "A Cold Peace"
Theatre
The Trials of
1966 Claudia Episodes: "The Greatest Game, Part 1; 2"
O'Brien
1971 Aquarius Mrs. X Strindberg's Stronger/LS.Lowry/Liverpool's Kop
Tatiana Krasnavian / Episodes: "The Barefoot Stewardess Caper," "The
1972-77 McCloud
Vicki Erickson Moscow Connection"
Battlestar
1978 Tenna Episodes: "Gun on Ice Planet Zero: Part 1; 2"
Galactica
Return of the
Laura Episode: "The Murder Cartel"
1979 Saint
Skeppsredaren Patricia 6 episodes
Episodes: "Vicki's First Love/The High Cost of
Alice Robbins / Karen
1980-82 The Love Boat Loving/Accident Prone", "Doc Take the Fifth/Safety
Ellison
Last/A Business Affair"
1982 Matt Houston Vera Martin Episode: "Deadly Fashion"
Linda / Clarissa Bevis /
1980-83 Fantasy Island Berniece Williams / Four episodes
Aphrodite
Simon &
1985 Samantha Blake Episode: "Love and/or Marriage"
Simon
Superboy Lara Lor-Van Episodes: "Escape to Earth," "Abandon Earth"
1990
Grand Viveca Episode: "Blow Off"
Absolutely
1994 Britt Ekland Episode: "New Best Friend"
Fabulous
2002 Lexx Dulcibella Sternflanks Episode: "Prime Ridge"

Reality television
 Television
Year Title Role Notes
1970 The Dean Martin Show Herself Episode: "6.3"
1981 Barbara Woodhouse Goes to Beverly Hills Herself documentary
1982 Electric Blue 3 Herself
1984 The Fall Guy Herself Episode: "Always Say Always"
1992 Bara med Britt Herself / Host
1997 Brass Eye Herself Episode: "Animals"
2007-
Stjärnorna på slottet Herself 5 episodes
2008
2010 I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Herself / Contestant 20 episodes
2011 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Herself episode #1.8
2013 Astrid in Wonderland Herself Episode #5.8
2013–
Svenska Hollywoodfruar Herself
2015
2018 Let's Dance Herself / Contestant 2 episodes
2020 The Real Marigold Hotel Herself Season 4, 4 episodes

Discography
"Do it to Me once more (with feeling)" / "Private Party" (1979) No. 15 SWE

References
1. Ann Fotheringham. "When city welcomed 'most photographed woman of the 70s' Britt
Ekland" (https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19164042.city-welcomed-most-photographe
d-woman-70s-britt-ekland/). Glasgow Evening Times.
2. Lester, Peter (10 March 1980). "All Is Vanity" (https://web.archive.org/web/20080519180117/
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20075995,00.html). People. Vol. 13.
Archived from the original (http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20075995,00.htm
l) on 19 May 2008.
3. Iley, Chrissy (22 September 2013). "Britt Ekland on nudity, Alzheimer's, and being 'abducted'
by Peter Sellers – interview" (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10321559/Britt-Ekland
-on-nudity-Alzheimers-and-being-abducted-by-Peter-Sellers-interview.html). The Telegraph.
Retrieved 9 May 2015.
4. "Review: 'The Night They Raided Minsky's' " (https://variety.com/1967/film/reviews/the-night-
they-raided-minsky-s-1200421505/). Variety. 31 December 1967. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
5. Pukas, Anna (23 September 2013). "Britt Ekland: Being in The Wicker Man was a real
horror" (http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/431492/Britt-Ekland-Being-in-The-Wicker-
Man-was-a-real-horror). Express. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
6. "Review: 'The Man with the Golden Gun' " (https://variety.com/1973/film/reviews/the-man-wit
h-the-golden-gun-1200423145/). Variety. 31 December 1973. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
7. Vagg, Stephen (18 May 2020). "Trying to Make a Case for Royal Flash" (https://diaboliquem
agazine.com/trying-to-make-a-case-for-royal-flash/?fbclid=IwAR0fLGRKHXLri_JE_-jlDjSjyG
bWCmcD5gKSdWmUoZWDJ_MXRkytyB8MFuQ). Diabolique.
 8. "Oxford Mail review of Cinderella at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon" (http://archive.oxfordmail.net/
2007/12/18/209591.html). Archive.oxfordmail.net. 18 December 2007. Retrieved 4 October
2010.
9. "My Prince" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLJe06FodWw). YouTube.
10. "Britt Ekland: Actor and singer" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/d9YWFgsQz1tk
qqwSxZBMYk/britt-ekland). The Real Marigold Hotel. UK: BBC. 2020. Retrieved 1 May
2020.
11. "Former Bond Girl" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/breakfast/8639450.stm). BBC
News. UK: BBC. 23 April 2010.
12. Sikov, Ed (2002). Mr. Strangelove: a biography of Peter Sellers. Pan MacMillan. ISBN 0-283-
07297-0.
13. "Actor Peter Sellers Regretted That His Marriage To Britt Ekland Had Broken Down A
Divorce Court Judge Was Told Today", Associated Newspapers news release dated 17
December 1968.
14. Randall Roberts (15 June 2018). "How Nic Adler turned a life in the clubs into a feast at
Arroyo Seco Weekend" (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-ca-ms-nic-adler-arr
oyo-seco-20180615-story.html). Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
15. McCormick, Neil (11 April 2013). "Rod Stewart interview: 'I am desperately ashamed of the
way I finished relationships' " (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeature
s/9986284/Rod-Stewart-interview-I-am-desperately-ashamed-of-the-way-I-finished-relations
hips.html). The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
16. Ling, Dave (10 August 2017). "Philip Lewis: "The best advice I've ever been given was to
get a vasectomy" " (https://www.loudersound.com/features/philip-lewis-the-best-advice-ive-e
ver-been-given-was-to-get-a-vasectomy). Classic Rock Magazine.
17. Wightwick, Abbie (7 May 2010). "Peter Sellers, Rod Stewart and me, Britt Ekland bares all"
(http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/peter-sellers-rod-stewart-me-1916706).
Wales Online. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
18. Eklund, Britt, True Britt, Simon & Schuster (February 1984) ISBN 0-13-931089-4
19. Robert Windeler (21 February 1977). "Romantic Rod" (http://www.people.com/people/archiv
e/article/0,,20067446,00.html). People. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
20. Ashwood, James (30 January 2007). "Charlize Theron interview – Interviews – Movies" (htt
p://www.virginmedia.com/movies/interviews/charlizetheron.php). Virgin Media. Retrieved
4 October 2010.

External links
Britt Ekland (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001180/) at IMDb
Britt Ekland (https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/1908952/wp) at the TCM Movie Database
Britt Ekland (https://www.allmovie.com/artist/p21438) at AllMovie
Britt Ekland (http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/479264/) at the BFI's Screenonline
Britt Ekland (https://www.discogs.com/artist/389619) discography at Discogs
"Britt Ekland on the Man with the Golden Gun" (http://jamesbond007.se/events.asp?id=359
6). From Sweden with Love. 25 November 2014.

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