Austin Willis was a Canadian actor who portrayed the Simmons in Goldfinger.
Trivia[]
Austin Willis was initially cast in the role of Felix Leiter for the movie, which Cec Linder was cast as Mr. Simmons. However, at the last minute, Willis switched roles with Linder.
Biography
Austin was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia to parents Alexander Samuel and Emma Graham (Pushie) Willis. His older brother, J. Frank Willis, was a radio broadcaster with the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (later the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
In 2002, Austin was made a Member of the Order of Canada. He is best known internationally for his appearance as Simmons, the man whom Auric Goldfinger beats at cards in the opening scenes of the James Bond film, Goldfinger. Originally he was to have played Felix Leiter but, at the last minute, fellow Canadian Cec Linder switched roles with him.
In Canada, he had a varied film and TV career, ranging from the early science-fiction series Space Command, to hosting Cross-Canada Hit Parade for several years in the 1950s. Soon after his appearance in Goldfinger, he co-starred in the Canadian-UK action-adventure TV series, Seaway. In the 1970s he found new fans as the host of the humorous game show This is the Law.
Willis was married twice. His first marriage was in 1953, to Canadian actress Kate Reid, and they had two children together before divorcing in 1962. He married Gwen LaForgy in 1984, and was with her until his death, at 86, in 2004.