# Valerie Leon

Valerie Therese Leon (born 12 November 1943) is an English actress and model who has had roles in a number of film and television productions, including six of the Carry On film series, appeared as a Bond girl in Never Say Never Again (1983), had parts in high profile films such as The Italian Job (1969), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), The Wild Geese (1978) and Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978) and had a starring role in the cult Hammer horror film Blood from the Mummy's Tomb (1971). Leon also appeared in the famous Hai Karate television adverts in the 1970s which gained her substantial publicity. She also became known globally as a sex symbol due to her glamorous looks and attractive figure, and was often referred to as the "English Raquel Welch".