Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey is a Welsh singer known for both her powerful operatic voice and for recording the theme songs to the James Bond films 'Goldfinger' (1964); 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971) and 'Moonraker' (1979).
Born on Bute Street in Butetown (also known as 'Tiger Bay') in the docklands area of Cardiff, she was was the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey, from Nigeria, and Eliza Jane Start, from the north-east of England, but grew up in the adjacent community of Splott.
After leaving Splott Secondary Modern School at the age of 14, Bassey found work at the local Curran Steels factory, while singing in public houses and clubs in the evenings and on weekends. In 1953, she signed her first professional contract and went on to work for the impresario Jack Hylton. She recorded her first single in 1956.
Acting
TV
The Muppet Show
as Self - Special Guest Star
1976
TV
The Graham Norton Show
as Self
2007
Movie
Everything or Nothing
as Self (archive footage)
2012
Movie
The Sound of 007
as Self (archive footage)
2022
TV
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
1948
TV
Morecambe & Wise
as Self
1961
TV
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self - Co-Host
1961
TV
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self - Co-Hostess
1961
Movie
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
as Self
2002
Movie
The Bond Sound: The Music of 007
as Self
2000
Movie
The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall
as self
2022
TV
The Danny Kaye Show
as Self
1963
Movie
The World of James Bond
as Self
1995
TV
Viña del Mar International Song Festival
as Self - Musical Guest
1963
TV
An Audience with...
as Self
1978
TV
Ein Kessel Buntes
as Self - Musician
1972
TV
Le Grand Échiquier
as Self - Main Guest
1972
Movie
La Passione
as Shirley Bassey
1997
Movie
Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever
as Self
2000
Movie
Shirley Bassey - You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet
as Self
1985
Movie
The Bing Crosby Show
as Self
1961
Movie
The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012
as Self - Performer
2012
Movie
60 Songs: BBC Two at 60
as Self (archive footage)
2024
Movie
St David's Day at the BBC
as Self
2021
