1 0 things you didn’t know about Colin Salmon
S AY THE name Bond – as in James Bond – and the first thing you think of is the lead actor playing the role of the British superspy. When you start thinking about the characters of this near-cult classic, you think of his boss, ‘M’, and lately, that uber-cool, head-turner of a hunk that plays the role of her assistant. You will undoubtedly go OMG, as what comes to mind is the unquestionable sex-symbol material and pin-up idol always in the shadows ready to assist M – Dame Judi Dench!
Well, his name is Colin Salmon, and for those in the know, there was a time when Colin Salmon was considered as being the next Bond-inwaiting, and thus the first man of colour to be cast in the coveted role of Secret Agent 007.
Alas, the Bond series is still evolving, and while Salmon is yet to be cast as the world’s first black actor to command the licence to both kill and thrill, Salmon has been racking up a number of firsts as one of Britain’s leading actors and as a humanitarian. He has lent his name and celebrity status to a number of charities and charitable causes, both in Britain and internationally.
Well, Salmon and his wife, Fiona, were both in Jamaica recently as guests of London-based international ‘A-Crowders’ Andrew and Theresa Roberts, at their Jamaican winter and summer home, Hanover Grange, in the fabulous Tryall enclave in Hanover.
Today, Outlook Magazine shares 10 things not previously known about the dashing British actor Colin Salmon. 1. He has Jamaican roots, as his dad, Frank, was born in Savanna-la-Mar, while his mother, Sylvia Brudenell, was born in Warmington, Northamptonshire. They shared a love for motorcycles and dancing. 2. He is a musician who has played with a number of leading groups and singers. His love affair with music began when he was given a cornet by his grandfather, and he played in the Salvation Army until he was 16. In the late ’70s, he played drums in a punk band and went on to tour with Ben E. King, Eddie Floyd, and Dorothy Moore in a soul review as a trumpeter. He still plays and sings. 3. He enjoyed school and was deputy head boy at Ashcroft High School and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate for the arts and sciences. 4. He plays Captain Dance heart in a Nottinghill Carnival Masquerade band, which his wife, Fiona, helped to form 15 years ago. 5. He is not a trained actor and was actually discovered busking outside the Tricycle Theatre. He was cast in a Caryl Phillips play and in Prime Suspect
2 a few years later. This was his first time in front of the camera.
PS2 went on to win an Emmy. 6. He enjoys giving back, with the view of helping others to realise their potential. As part of this, he serves as chair of governors of the oldest nursery school in London, and goodwill ambassador for the Chain Of Hope charity, which is currently building a cardiac unit at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. 7. He’s an avid cricketer and plays whenever he can. In his youth, he spent many days under the English sun bowling, batting, and fielding. Highlights include bowling ex-England captain Mike Gatting for a golden duck, and giving Sir Clive Lloyd a ride to his London home. Howzat? 8. He is the co-founder and goodwill ambassador for cage cricket, a new urban sport that can be played indoor and outdoors. It is fast-moving, fun, and helps develop all-round cricketing skills. 9. He has played James Bond – below the line – screen-testing Bond girls for three Pierce Brosnan movies. He is also a key member of the 007 alumni. 10. He and his wife, Fiona, were guests on the Spirit of Chartwell, which carried the Royal family down the Thames celebrating the queen’s Diamond Jubilee. His father, Frank, later shared that he, too, has been a part of the history of the British Royals as he had been part of an honour guard when Queen Elizabeth visited Jamaica 60 years earlier.