How a near-death experience in Japan shaped the future of James Bond
In short: Albert R. Broccoli, the legendary producer behind the James Bond franchise, narrowly escaped death in 1966. While scouting locations in Japan for You Only Live Twice, he and his team canceled their flight on BOAC Flight 911 to watch a ninja demonstration. The plane crashed, killing everyone on board.
Born in Queens in 1909, Albert Romolo Broccoli—nicknamed Cubby—began his career as a gofer on the 1941 film The Outlaw. His rise in the industry was rapid, moving from assistant director to a prolific producer of over 40 motion pictures. Alongside Irving Allen, he founded Warwick Films in 1951 to leverage British tax incentives, though the partnership eventually dissolved over a disagreement regarding the potential of the James Bond novels.
In 1961, Broccoli partnered with Harry Saltzman to form Eon Productions, launching the Bond series that would define his legacy. His life was marked by both professional triumphs and intense controversy. In 1937, he was involved in a violent altercation with comedian Ted Healy. While some reports alleged that Broccoli and others beat Healy to death, the official coroner's report attributed the comedian's passing to acute toxic nephritis caused by chronic alcoholism. Broccoli later admitted to a scuffle but denied causing the fatal injuries.
Broccoli’s influence extended beyond the screen into his personal life and legacy. He was a mentor to his stepson, Michael G. Wilson, and his daughter, Barbara Broccoli, both of whom continued the family tradition of producing Bond films. His impact on cinema was recognized with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1981. Even after his death from heart failure in 1996, his presence remained a fixture of the franchise, with his name appearing in the opening credits of every Bond film through 2021.
Beyond his film work, Broccoli was a dedicated thoroughbred horse racing enthusiast, owning the 1993 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, Brocco. His life, which spanned from humble beginnings in New York to the heights of Hollywood, remains a subject of fascination, detailed in his posthumously published 1999 autobiography, When the Snow Melts.
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