Filmmaker Harry Saltzman, 78; Co-Produced James Bond Series

Harry Saltzman, a Canadian who entered the film industry in the 1940s but did not become wealthy until 20 years later when he struck it rich in Britain as co-producer of the first James Bond classic, “Dr. No,” died Wednesday at the American Hospital of Paris. He was 78.

Saltzman had lived in the Paris area for several years after maintaining residences in England. A hospital spokesman confirmed his death for the Associated Press but would not release further details.

Born in St. John, New Brunswick, Saltzman was brought to the United States as an infant.

He entered the movie business in the early 1940s and made his name as producer or co-producer of such thrillers as “Enemy Agent” in 1942 and the social dramas “Look Back in Anger” in 1959 and “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” in 1961.

Moving to Britain, Saltzman launched the Bond series in the 1960s with co-producer Albert R. Broccoli. Their hits, mostly with Sean Connery as Agent 007, included “Dr. No,” “Goldfinger” “From Russia With Love,” “Thunderball,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” and “The Man With the Golden Gun.”

The partnership dissolved in the mid-1970s and Broccoli retained the rights to the lucrative series.

Other Saltzman productions included “The Entertainer,” “The Ipcress File,” “Funeral in Berlin,” “Battle of Britain” and “Nijinsky” in 1979.