Joanna Pettet, the British-born actress who achieved international prominence during the 1960s with roles in films such as “The Group” and the James Bond parody “Casino Royale,” has died at the age of 83. Her passing was confirmed by her close friend and former manager, Pam DuBois, who noted that Pettet died on the anniversary of the passing of her only son, Damien Cord, who died in 1995.

Born Joanna Jane Salmon in London in 1942, Pettet was raised in Montreal, Canada, before moving to New York City at age 16 to pursue an acting career. She trained at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse and quickly established herself on Broadway, winning a Theatre World Award in 1965 for her performance in “Poor Richard.” Her transition to cinema came shortly after, debuting in Sidney Lumet’s 1966 drama “The Group” alongside notable actresses like Candice Bergen and Jessica Walter.

Pettet’s film career peaked in the late 1960s, highlighted by her role as Mata Bond in the 1967 spy parody “Casino Royale” and appearances in “The Night of the Generals” and “Robbery.” Beyond her screen credits, her life intersected with a notorious historical event when she dined with actress Sharon Tate hours before the Manson family murders in August 1969—an encounter later depicted in Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.”

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Pettet transitioned to television, appearing in popular series such as “Night Gallery” and “Knots Landing.” Following her divorce from actor Alex Cord and the tragic loss of their son, she largely stepped away from the spotlight, later dedicating years to caring for her longtime companion, the acclaimed actor Alan Bates, until his death in 2003. Industry colleagues and admirers have expressed their condolences, remembering her as a highly talented and compassionate figure in the entertainment industry.