Before Madeline Smith ever stepped in front of a movie camera, she was working as a salesgirl in a fashion store. That early connection to the world of style pushed her toward modeling, which then opened the door to acting. By the late 1960s, she had become one of the most recognizable faces in British entertainment — appearing in films, television series, and fashion spreads throughout the decade that followed.
Madeline Smith aged 20 in London wearing a black dress and fur hood, 1969
Her modeling work in 1969 was especially active. She appeared at the launch of the Alma 69, an illustrated guide featuring nearly 600 fashion models, and was photographed regularly in London in a range of striking outfits — from black dresses to knee-high boots. Around this same time, Disc cartoonist J. Edward Oliver began featuring her in his work. On one occasion, he dedicated an entire comic strip to her, titled “The Life and Habits of the Madeline Smith.”
Madeline Smith at the launch of the new Alma 69, the illustrated guide for nearly 600 fashion models, 1969Madeline Smith wearing a countdown dress with another model, 1969Madeline Smith wearing a black dress, London, 1969Madeline Smith in a black dress and fwhite knee high boots, 1969Madeline Smith n London wearing a black dress, 1969
In 1970, Smith transitioned firmly into acting. She appeared in “The Vampire Lovers,” a Hammer Horror film that brought her alongside actresses Kate O’Mara and Pippa Steel. That same year, she was part of the production of “Forbush and the Penguins,” working with a cast that included John Hurt. These early film roles established her as a versatile actress willing to take on a wide range of genres.
Madeline Smith with Pippa Steel and other actress during the production of “The Vamire Lovers, 1970Madeline Smith with Kate O’Mara and Pippa Steel, 1970
Madeline Smith during the making of “The Vampire”, 1970
Young Madeline Smith during the filming of The Vampire, 1970
Madeline Smith with Pippa Steel, Janet Key, Geraldine de Sancha and John Hurt during the production of “Forbush and the Penguins”, 1970
By 1971, Smith was one of the busiest actresses in Britain. She appeared in the television series “Doctor at Large” and joined Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett for “The Two Ronnies,” wearing period costume for the show’s classic serial sketch. She also continued her fashion work throughout the year, appearing in multiple studio photoshoots and taking on film roles like “The Seven Magnificent Deadly Sins,” filmed at Pinewood Studios.
Madeline Smith in her role as Doctor Maxwell’s daughter Sue in the television series “Doctor At Large”, 1971
Madeline Smith with Comedian Ronnie Corbett at the BBC rehearsal room in Acton, 1971
Madeline Smith with Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, wearing period costume in the ‘classic serial’ sketch from the television comedy series ‘The Two Ronnies’, 1971Madeline Smith posing in the studio, 1971Madeline Smith in a bikini, 1971Beautiful Madeline Smith during her fashion photoshoot in 1971
Madeline Smith poses wearing hot pants suit with knee high boots, 1971
Madeline Smith in London, 1971
Madeline Smith during fashion photoshoot, 1971Madeline Smith during a fashion photoshoot, 1971Madeline Smith with a bycycle, 1971Madeline Smith during a break in filming “The Seven Magnificent Deadly Sins” at Pinewo, 1971Madeline Smith during a break in filming “The Seven Magnificent Deadly Sins” at Pinewo, 1971Madeline Smith holding lion cubs, 1971Madeline Smith in a sweater, 1971Gorgeous Madeline Smith, 1971
In 1972, Smith filmed “The Amazing Mr. Blunden” and appeared in the BBC television series “Clochemerle,” attending its press reception that year. She was also photographed during the making of the comedy “Up the Front” and appeared at public events like the Variety Club Star Gala at Battersea Park Gardens. That same year she was photographed for an unusual assignment — advertising a sale of rare stuffed natural history specimens.
Madeline Smith during the filming of “The Amazing Mr. Blunden” in 1972Madeline Smith, 1972
Madeline Smith in a promotional portrait for ‘Up The Front’, 1972
Madeline Smith holding a glass of wine and bottle of champagne at a BBC Press show reception of the television, 1972
Madeline Smith holding a glass of wine at a BBC Press show reception of the television series “Chlocermele”, 1972
Madeline Smith during the “Doctor at Large ” tv series, 1971Madeline Smith with a camel, 1972Madeline Smith with a camel, 1972
Madeline Smith with a camel, 1972Madeline Smith lying on a bed covered with garlic and lettuce, an erotic fantasy of Hywell Bennett, 1972
Madeline Smith at the Variety Club Star Gala at Battersea Park Gardens, 1972
Madeline Smith advertising a sale of rare stuffed natural history specimens, 1972
The biggest film role of her career came in 1973, when she played Miss Caruso — a Bond girl — in “Live and Let Die” opposite Roger Moore. Despite the film’s major production scale, Smith was paid just one hundred British Pounds for the role. That same year, she was photographed with Michael Crawford and continued to make public appearances, including at a Variety Club luncheon.
Madeline Smith with Roger Moore in the movie “Live and Let Die”, 1973
Madeline Smith with English actor Roger Moore, 1973
Madeline Smith picture with a giant teddy bear at a Variety Club luncheon, 1973Actress Madeline Smith poses on the bed with her teddy bears, 1973Madeline Smith with Michael Crawford, 1973
Smith kept a steady presence in British film and television throughout the mid-1970s. In 1975, she appeared in the comedy film “The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones” alongside Nicky Henson. That same year, she was photographed with actor David Buck, who was her boyfriend at the time. The two later married, and Smith remained with him until his death from cancer in 1989.
Actress Madeline Smith watching television at her flat in Kew, 1974Madeline Smith with Nicky Henson, 1975Madeline Smith with Nicky Hanson ‘ on a motorcycle on the set of British comedy film ‘The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones’, 1975Madeline Smith with her boyfriend film actor David Buck, 1975
She continued working through the second half of the 1970s. In 1979, she appeared in the LWT television drama “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?,” sharing the screen with Connie Booth and Francesca Annis. Her earlier comedy film “The Mini Mob” also featured her alongside Lucille Soong and Gretchen Regan.
Madeline Smith poses outdoors wearing sleeveless top, 1976
Madeline Smith during a fashion photoshoot, 1976
Madeline Smith with Connie Booth and Francesca Annisduring the filming of LWT television drama ‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?’, 1979Madeline Smit with Lucille Soong and Gretchen regan in the comedy film “The Mini Mob”
After the 1970s, Smith stepped away from the spotlight for nearly two decades. She returned to television in 2011, appearing as a contestant on the BBC antiques game show “Bargain Hunt” on the red team. She currently lives in West London with her daughter, Emily.
