Tanya Roberts, Bond Girl and ‘That’ 70s Show ‘star, dies

NEW YORK (AP) – Tanya Roberts, who captivated James Bond in “A View to a Kill”, appeared in the final season of “Charlie’s Angels” and then played Midge Pinciotti on the sitcom “That ’70s Show”, died in Los Angeles. She was 65.

Roberts’ death on Sunday was announced by his publicist, Mike Pingel. She collapsed at home and was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. No cause of death was given, but Pingel said it was not due to COVID-19.

One of her most important roles was playing geologist Stacey Sutton opposite Roger Moore in 1985’s “A View to a Kill”, where she held a pistol on Bond after deceiving him into believing that she was in a shower. The character later joined him to stop the bad guys on an airship over San Francisco.

“We are saddened to learn of Tanya’s passing. She was a very lovely person, ”Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli wrote in tribute. Britt Ekland, who starred alongside Moore in 1974’s “The Man With The Golden Gun”, tweeted: “Once a Bond Girl always a Bond Girl!”

“One of my favorite memories with Tanya was driving in the car and Duran Duran’s theme song ‘A View to a Kill’ hit the radio – we both sang. Invaluable, ”Pingel said.

Roberts has also appeared in fantasy adventure films like “The Beastmaster” and “Hearts and Armor”. She replaced Shelly Hack in “Charlie’s Angels”, joining Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd as third Angel Julie. She also played the comic book heroine Sheena – a female version of the Tarzan story – in a 1984 film.

A new generation of fans saw her on “That ’70s Show,” playing Midge, the mother of Laura Prepon’s character, Donna. On Twitter, Topher Grace, one of the stars of the show, called Roberts “really a lovely person to work with.” He added: “I had never played before and to be honest a little nervous around her. But she couldn’t have been nicer. We will miss you Midge.

Roberts, a leading animal rights activist, is survived by her husband, Lance O’Brien. “Tanya and I have never been apart. It’s too much to handle. Her animals are lost without her and so am I. ”he said in a statement.