Pamela Salem, best known for her roles in EastEnders, Doctor Who, and the James Bond film Never Say Never Again, has died at the age of 80.Born in India in 1944, Salem studied at the University of Heidelberg before training at the Central School of Drama. She began her career in repertory theatre in Chesterfield and York and went on to build a long and respected career across stage, television, and film.
She was particularly acclaimed for her performances in works by Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Pinter.Salem gained international recognition as Miss Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again (1983), starring Sean Connery. Television audiences remember her as Joanne Francis in EastEnders, where she appeared in 37 episodes between 1988 and 1989.
She also made a lasting impression on Doctor Who fans, portraying Professor Rachel Jensen in The Robots of Death (1977) and Remembrance of the Daleks (1988), later reprising the role in audio dramas for Big Finish.Producer David Richardson described her as warm, generous, and deeply kind, recalling her enthusiasm and affection for colleagues.
Pamela Salem passed away peacefully at her home in Surfside, Florida. She was married to film producer Michael O’Hagan from 1983 until his death in 2017. Her legacy lives on through a diverse body of work and the many lives she touched.