Norman Burton, Felix Leiter in `Diamonds Are Forever`, dies aged 79

23-Dec-2003 • Actor News

MI6 is sad to report that Norman Burton died in an automobile accident near the California/Arizona border last week as he was returning to his home in Ajijic after a visit to the United States. He was one week short of his 80th birthday.

Burton was born December 5, 1923 in New York City, where he went to school, eventually graduating from the famed Actors Studio where he studied under the great Lee Strasbourg.

He began his acting career in New York but was soon lured to California and film. His career spanned three decades with more than 40 movies and 23 television roles to his credit.

Known to Bond fans as Felix Leiter from "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971), Burton updated the character in Connery`s last outing as 007. No longer a stiff CIA agent, Leiter was shown much more as an associate and comrade of 007, and the relationship worked well.

Some of the movies on his resume include "Planet of the Apes," "American Ninja V," "Towering Inferno," and "Save the Tiger." He appeared in the made-for-TV mini-series "War and Remembrance" as George Patton. Television shows in which he appeared include "I Dream of Jeannie," "Felony Squad," "Kojak," "Murder She Wrote" and "The Facts of Life."

He and his wife Claire moved to Ajijic from California in 1998. His wife passed away in 2002 after a long illness.

Burton took a leading role in the Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) production of "Art" in 2000 and in "Copenhagen," a play-reading directed by Norma Lyerly, around the same time. He was also directing "The Dresser" which was to have appeared on stage at LLT in February.

Burton was always happy to impart his knowledge of acting to others, and he held popular "method acting" classes at Lakeside.

He is survived by a daughter, Naomi, who lives in Las Vegas and his best friend Carole Martin.

Thanks to Allen for the alert.