"Guy Hamilton was a lovely man. Very professional and handsome. He was at my audition alongside Cubby Broccoli." —Gloria Best
Gloria Best Thomas was born on the 2nd of August, 1943, in Leeds, Yorkshire.
She is a retired English actress and model, best known for winning the title of Miss Britain in 1968.
Growing up in the North of England in the city of Leeds, Gloria became fascinated at a young age with the world of performing arts. Like many young girls at the time, she attended dance school and at 13 years old she travelled to London where she successfully earned a place at the Aida Foster Theatre School in Golders Green, studying alongside Marti Webb and Francisca Annis. While completing her training she auditioned for the BBC and was cast in a children’s show called “Studio E”, which she starred in for nine months.
After completing theatre school, Aida became her agent and Gloria’s early work included modelling and commercials for companies like Fry’s Chocolate. Her first onscreen role came in the popular British series “Ghost Squad”, where she was cast as a stewardess in the episode “Dr. Ayre” in 1964. During the same year she also achieved a minor role in “Carry On Spying”, which was filmed at Pinewood Studios and was the first of three “Carry On” films that she starred in, the others being “Carry On Cleo” where she was a hand-maiden and “Carry On Cowboy”, where she portrayed the role of Bridget. Another memorable filming experience for Gloria also took place at Pinewood, when she successfully got cast as a poolside girl in the James Bond blockbuster “Goldfinger”. A number of other “Carry On” actresses were also cast in her scene including Dominique Don, Marian Collins and Sally Douglas.
Following her final appearance in “Carry On Cowboy” in 1965, Gloria turned her attention to modelling and commercial work, becoming a regular face on television and in magazines. She competed in a number beauty pageants including Miss International, which saw her travel to Japan to compete in Tokyo. In 1968 she won the title of Miss Britain and travelled to Canada the following year. After marrying her Canadian husband, the family moved there permanently at the end of 1969, whereby she then continued her career in the industry for several years.
After retiring as a model, Gloria became a director at several local theatres and also opened two private schools and a day-care centre. She has directed a number of plays over the last 38 years including ‘La Liaison Dangereuse’ and the musicals ‘Nonsense’ and ‘Nonsense 2’. During an interview with The Bond Archives she stated that she was particularly proud of the show ‘Stepping Out’, where she taught her cast how to tap-dance and also choreographed the entire production.
During the early scenes of "Goldfinger" when James Bond is in Miami at the Fontainebleau Hotel, there are a number of beautiful girls that are seen surrounding the pool and walking around during the card game between Mr. Simmons and Mr. Goldfinger, which was filmed on a set at Pinewood Studios.
During the scene, model Gloria Best can be seen in the background, appearing on two different sun loungers. She has tied up black hair and is wearing a pink and white bikini. (Pictured below).
The black and white autographed photo is a rare publicity still showing all the pool girl extras with Sean Connery on the Pinewood set. Gloria can be seen standing and is on the far left. The still has also been signed by Dominique Don who is the small dark haired girl standing up, second from the left, and Marian Collins who is kneeling bottom right.
The colour composite photo shows Gloria in the actual film sequence.
Both photos were signed by Gloria for the Bond Archives in September of 2024.
Her autograph is considered extremely rare and these are the first James Bond photos she has ever signed.
Despite being filmed on a set representing Miami at Pinewood Studios, Gloria has visited the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami on many occasions.
Gloria dated music producer Burt Bacharach for several years and often attended studio sessions with him. She became close friends with Dionne Warwick, who is her daughter's Godmother.
She had lunch with John Wayne, who was at Pinewood Studios while she was filming "Carry On Cleo".
During a men's tailoring advert, Gloria was tasked with driving one of the James Bond production Aston Martin DB5's!
Many years after moving to Canada, she met Cec Linder on a television show and later went for dinner with him and his wife.
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