Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tommy Lane death: James Bond actor dies aged 83

Lane also appeared in films such as ‘Shaft’ and ‘Eureka’

Sam Moore
Tuesday 30 November 2021 20:37 GMT
Comments
(MGM)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Tommy Lane, who played a villain in the James Bond film Live and Let Die, has died aged 83.

His daughter Kamala confirmed that he died in Florida after suffering with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In Live and Let Die, Lane plays Adam, one of drug lord Dr Kananga’s henchmen who pursues Roger Moore’s James Bond across the Louisiana Bayou.

Lane’s biggest moment in the film comes when he races Bond in a speedboat across crocodile infested marshes. Lane’s character is also notable for his snappy style of dressing as he wears a tweed suit for much of the film.

Lane is also known for his performance in Gordon Parks’ Shaft where he gets into a famous fight with Richard Roundtree’s eponymous hero that ends with his character being thrown out a window.

As well as Shaft, Lane appeared in other Blaxploitation movies such as Cotton Comes to Harlem and Ganja & Hess.

Lane also starred alongside Burt Reynolds in Shamus and Cliff Robertson in The Pilot. He also had a small role in Nicolas Roeg’s Eureka.

Throughout his life, Lane was a passionate trumpet and flugelhorn player. He worked in several New York bars as a jazz musician, most prominently at Blue Note throughout the Eighties.

(MGM)

He is survived by wife Raquel Bastias-Lane, seven children, a stepson, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in