Bernard Lee starred in the first 11 James Bond films, playing 007's boss, M, who would dispatch him on his assignments, while also dishing out plenty of reprimands.
Bernard was due to appear in For Your Eyes Only, but sadly the actor died from stomach cancer at the age of 73 before filming his scenes. But away from the Bond series, the star was known for other major roles including in Murder in Soho, The Third Man and Whistle Down the Wind.
Away from his stage career, Bernard was married twice, firstly to Gladys Merredew and secondly to Ursula McHale, who he remained married to until his death. Gladys sadly died in a house fire in 1972, but the couple did welcome a daughter, Ann, who briefly became a stage actress. Bernard remarked on her career: "She's doing what she wants to do and enjoying every moment of it."
However, it was Ann's son, Jonny Lee Miller, who went on to achieve global fame, thanks to his roles in Elementary, Trainspotting and The Crown.
© Getty ImagesScroll down for all you need to know, including how the late actor inspired his grandson into acting…
Bernard's grandson Jonny Lee Miller
With a grandfather involved with the franchise, it's no surprise that Jonny grew up as a fan of James Bond. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly back in 2007, he said that his favourite film was Moonraker, which was his late grandfather's final time in the role of M.
Bernard passed away when Jonny was just eight-years-old, and speaking to The Daily Telegraph in 2009, the star described his memories of the late actor as "foggy".
During an interview with The Times back in 2013, the 53-year-old remarked that going into acting was like going into "the family business", thanks to his famous relatives. "Acting felt like going into the family business for me, which helped in terms of giving me that extra bit of confidence from a young age," he shared. "Correctly or incorrectly, blindly stumbling forward thinking it was what I was supposed to do was quite helpful."
In 2020, Jonny paid tribute to Bernard, sharing a carousel of some of his most famous roles, and saying: "Celebrating my Grandpa today on his birthday. Bernard Lee worked as an actor on stage and on screen in over 100 films. Pictured here in The Third Man, and swipe right, with Sean Connery in one of the 11 James Bond movies in which he played M. He was also a WW2 veteran, achieving the rank of Captain in the Royal Sussex Regiment. What a life!"
© Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesJonny made his acting debut in 1982, at the age of 10, in an episode of Doctor Who, but his breakout role came in 1996 when he played Simon "Sick Boy" Williamson in Danny Boyle's Trainspotting; he also reprised the role in the film's 2017 sequel.
The actor has also had an incredible TV career, playing the misogynistic Jordan Chase in Dexter, before playing Sherlock Holmes in a modern-day interpretation of the character in Elementary, the latter which saw him nominated for a Satellite Award. Jonny also played former British Prime Minister John Major in the fifth season of The Crown.
© Alamy Stock PhotoAway from acting, Jonny is also known for his high-profile relationships. Between 1996 and 2000, the English actor was married to Hollywood megastar Angelina Jolie, with the pair meeting on the set of Hackers in 1995.
Despite the split, the pair maintain an amicable relationship. Last year, while receiving the Maltin Modern Master Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Angelina was shown a highlights reel of her career, including in Hackers.
© Gregory PaceSpeaking fondly of Jonny, she said: "Actually, it's funny, I don't really watch my own films, and so I [don't] think I've seen it since the premiere. But I do have a wonderful relationship with Jonny, and he and I have sons the same age and I'm so happy."
