Born Britt-Marie Eklund in Stockholm in 1942, the actor began her journey to international screens after a talent agent spotted her in an Italian coffee shop. She moved to London to audition for films, quickly transitioning from minor Swedish roles to a central position in the landscape of 1960s and 1970s international cinema.
Early Career and Personal Complications
After small parts in Swedish films such as Kort är sommaren and Det är hos mig han har varit, Ekland secured a role in the 1964 Western Advance to the Rear. During the same period, she was cast in the British production Guns at Batasi. Her tenure on the film was cut short following intense pressure from her then-husband, actor Peter Sellers. Sellers was reportedly suspicious of her interactions with co-star John Leyton, leading to a public legal dispute involving 20th Century Fox. She soon appeared in A Carol for Another Christmas, After the Fox, and The Bobo alongside her husband.
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Ekland gained critical notice for her performance in the 1968 musical The Night They Raided Minsky's. Throughout the late 1960s, she worked in various international projects, including Machine Gun McCain, The Conspirators, and The Year of the Cannibals. Her status as a screen presence was cemented in 1971 with her role in the British crime film Get Carter, where she played opposite Michael Caine. This success was followed by roles in horror cinema, most notably the 1973 film The Wicker Man, and the 1974 James Bond entry The Man with the Golden Gun.
Later Work and Public Life
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ekland maintained an active presence in film and television. Her roles included appearances in The Ultimate Thrill, Royal Flash, and the 1989 film Scandal. Beyond acting, she hosted the syndicated television series Jukebox in 1978 and published a book, Sensual Beauty: How to Achieve It, in 1984. Since the 1990s, her professional efforts have focused on stage shows and television appearances, including roles in the BBC series I Love the '70s and stage productions like Cinderella at the Regent Theatre.
Fast facts
- Born: 1942, Stockholm, Sweden
- Marriage: Peter Sellers, 1964
- Notable Film: Get Carter, 1971
- Bond Girl Role: Mary Goodnight, 1974
- Publication: Sensual Beauty: How to Achieve It, 1984
- Stage Role: Cinderella, Regent Theatre, 1999
Questions readers ask
Did Britt Ekland provide vocals for music?
Yes, she provided the French spoken part at the end of Rod Stewart's 1976 single, Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright).
What was her final feature film role?
Her last feature film role was in the 1990 production titled The Children.
Achievements
- Worked as actor, writer and autobiographer
