Ursula Andress is a Swiss actress and former model best known for her role as Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962). This breakthrough role propelled her to international fame and cemented her status as a sex symbol. She continued to act in films throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, appearing in both European and American productions. Some of her other notable roles include appearances in Casino Royale, The 10th Victim, The Blue Max, and Clash of the Titans.
March 1936: Family Background and Early Life
Ursula Andress, the third of six children, was born in March 1936. Her father, a German diplomat, was expelled from Switzerland, leaving her to be raised by her mother and grandfather.
1953: Relationship with Daniel Gélin
Ursula Andress has stated that she lost her virginity to married actor Daniel Gélin in 1953, when she was 17 years old and he was 32.
1955: Relationships with Dennis Hopper, James Dean, and John Derek
After moving to the US in 1955, Ursula Andress dated actors Dennis Hopper and James Dean. That same year, she began an affair with actor/director John Derek, who later left his wife, Pati Behrs, to be with her.
February 2, 1957: Marriage to John Derek
Ursula Andress married actor/director John Derek on February 2, 1957, in Las Vegas. They later separated in 1964 and officially divorced in 1966.
1964: Separation from John Derek
Ursula Andress and John Derek separated in 1964, following her affair with her "Once Before I Die" co-star, Ron Ely.
1965: Relationship with Jean-Paul Belmondo
Ursula Andress began a relationship with actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, her co-star in "Up to His Ears", in 1965. They lived together until 1972.
1966: Divorce from John Derek
Ursula Andress and John Derek officially divorced in 1966 after a period of separation.
1972: End of Relationship with Jean-Paul Belmondo
Ursula Andress and Jean-Paul Belmondo ended their relationship in 1972 after seven years together. Andress has stated that Belmondo was the love of her life.
1973: Relationship with Fabio Testi
Ursula Andress started a relationship with actor Fabio Testi, her co-star in "Stateline Motel", in 1973. The relationship lasted, on and off, until 1977.
1977: End of Relationship with Fabio Testi
Ursula Andress and Fabio Testi ended their relationship in 1977.
1978: Role in "Slave of the Cannibal God"
In 1978, Ursula Andress appeared in the cult classic film "Slave of the Cannibal God", co-starring with Stacy Keach.
1978: Arm Injury and Rumors of Relationship with Ryan O'Neal
In late summer 1978, Ursula Andress broke her arm. While the official story attributed the injury to a bodysurfing accident during Hurricane Norman in Malibu, rumors circulated that it occurred during a fight with her on-again/off-again boyfriend, Ryan O'Neal.
1979: Roles in "Tigers in Lipstick" and "The Fifth Musketeer"
Ursula Andress appeared in two films in 1979: the anthology sex comedy "Tigers in Lipstick", directed by Luigi Zampa, and the swashbuckler period piece "The Fifth Musketeer", where she played Louise de La Vallière opposite Beau Bridges.
1979: Relationship with Harry Hamlin
Ursula Andress began living with actor Harry Hamlin after they met on the set of "Clash of the Titans" in 1979. They were engaged but never married.
May 1980: Birth of Son, Dimitri Alexander Hamlin
Ursula Andress gave birth to her son, Dimitri Alexander Hamlin, on May 19, 1980. The father was actor Harry Hamlin, whom she met on the set of "Clash of the Titans".
1981: Role in "Clash of the Titans" and Relationship with Harry Hamlin
In 1981, Ursula Andress played Aphrodite in the film "Clash of the Titans", starring alongside Laurence Olivier. During filming, she began a romantic relationship with her co-star, Harry Hamlin, and they later had a son together.
1982: Role in "Red Bells" and Television Appearances
In 1982, Ursula Andress portrayed Mabel Dodge in the adventure-drama film "Red Bells". She also made guest appearances on television shows like "Manimal" and "The Love Boat".
1983: Breakup with Harry Hamlin
Harry Hamlin ended his relationship with Ursula Andress in 1983.
1985: Role in "Liberté, égalité, choucroute"
Ursula Andress appeared in the French film "Liberté, égalité, choucroute" in 1985.
1986: Relationship with Fausto Fagone
Ursula Andress began dating Fausto Fagone, a university student, in 1986. He was 20 years old at the time, while she was 50. Their relationship lasted until 1991.
1986: Role in "Peter the Great" miniseries
Ursula Andress was part of the cast in the Emmy-winning miniseries "Peter the Great" in 1986.
1988: Role in "Falcon Crest" and "Big Man – The Diva"
In 1988, Ursula Andress appeared in a three-episode arc on the primetime soap opera "Falcon Crest", playing an exotic foreigner who assists David Selby in rescuing Dana Sparks from a white slave ring. She also starred in the film "Big Man – The Diva" alongside Bud Spencer.
1989: Role in "Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders"
Ursula Andress appeared in the film "Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders" in 1989.
1990: Role in "Klassäzämekunft" ("Broken Silence")
Ursula Andress starred in the film "Klassäzämekunft" (English title: "Broken Silence") in 1990.
1991: End of Relationship with Fausto Fagone and Brief Relationship with Jeff Speakman
Ursula Andress's relationship with Fausto Fagone ended in 1991. Later that year, she briefly dated martial arts expert Jeff Speakman.
1993: Role in "The Cave of the Golden Rose 3"
Ursula Andress appeared in the film "The Cave of the Golden Rose 3" in 1993.
1994: Role in "The Cave of the Golden Rose 4"
Ursula Andress appeared in the film "The Cave of the Golden Rose 4" in 1994.
1995: Role in "Cremaster 5" and Recognition by Empire Magazine
In 1995, Ursula Andress appeared in the film "Cremaster 5". That same year, she was honored by Empire magazine as one of the "100 Sexiest Stars in film history."
2005: Role in "Die Vogelpredigt oder Das Schreien der Mönche" ("The Bird Preachers")
Ursula Andress played the role of "Madonna" in the low-budget Swiss film "Die Vogelpredigt oder Das Schreien der Mönche" (English title: "The Bird Preachers") in 2005. This marked her last acting role to date.
2008: Appearance in "Masterpiece or Forgery? The Story of Elmyr De Hory"
Ursula Andress made an appearance in the documentary "Masterpiece or Forgery? The Story of Elmyr De Hory" in 2008.
2017: Sale of Beverly Hills Home
Ursula Andress sold her home in Beverly Hills in 2017, reportedly making a considerable profit.
2022: Residence in Rome and Gstaad
As of 2022, Ursula Andress splits her time between an apartment in Rome and a house in Gstaad, Switzerland, near her siblings.