Jill St. John | 19/8/1940 | 80

While many may not remember Jill St. John nowadays, she is perhaps given credit by fans of James Bond as the first American to become a Bond girl in the 007 franchise. Born Jill Arlyn Oppenheim in Los Angeles, California, St. John began her career in entertainment at 6, acting first on radio shows. She then made her screen debut three years later. By 1957, she signed a contract with Universal Pictures, the first studio she worked under. Her starting salary was around $200 a week, worth about $1,943 today, adjusted for inflation.

During the 1960s, St. John became known for her comedic roles in Honeymoon Hotel, Who’s Minding The Stone?, and Come Blow Your Horn, leading to her Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. However, her most iconic role was as diamond smuggler Tiffany Case in the film Diamonds Are Forever. Since then, St. John has slowed chiefly down on her career, with her last appearance, so far, in Northpole back in 2014.

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