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Shirley Bassey singer of Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Moonraker (1979) - The film world is celebrating the 50th year of James Bond. Here's a look back at the African-Americans whose characters or music have added colorful flavor to the longest running movie franchise.Bassey was a triple threat songstress for the franchise. She sang the title track Goldfinger, which sold over a million copies in 1965. Bassey also sang the '70s title tracks for Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker.(Photo: GAB Archive/Redferns)

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Yaphet Kotto in Live and Let Die (1973) - Yaphet Kotto had the dual roles of Dr. Kanaga and Mr. Big. Dr. Kanaga was the ambassador of the small island nation of San Monique, while Mr. Big destroyed lives with his drug empire in New York City. (Photo: United Artist/Getty Images)

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Gloria Hendry in Live and Let Die (1973) - Gloria Hendry starred as Rosie Carver and played opposite Roger Moore, who portrayed James Bond. This afro-clad Bond girl alerted 007 about voodoo warnings, got romantic with agent 007 and trapped him before her death.(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Julius W. Harris in Live and Let Die (1973) - Julius W. Harris portrayed Tee Hee and was the right hand man of Dr. Kanaga, Mr. Big. The bald villain got his nickname because of his wicked laugh. Tee Hee’s job was to oversee Kanaga’s heroin and get it ready for Big’s distribution on the streets of New York City.(Photo: American International Pictures/Getty Images)

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Bernie Casey in Never Say Never Again (1983) - Bernie Casey starred as Felix Leiter opposite Sean Connery as James Bond in Never Say Never Again and broke cinematic ground as the first African-American cast in the role as Bond’s best friend and colleague. (Photo: Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Images)

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Grace Jones in A View to a Kill (1985) - Grace Jones brought her dazzling shock diva style to the role of Mayday, the most outrageous Bond woman in the franchise's history. Mayday sky dives from the Eiffel Tower and stops a planned earthquake. An action heroine of few words, her movie catchphrase is “What’s there to say?”(Photo: Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)

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Tina Turner singer of GoldenEye (1995) - Music icon Tina Turner supplied the sexy, cool vocals for the title track of 1995's GoldenEye. Penned by Bono of the rock band U2, the single reached number 10 on the U.K. singles chart and was a top five hit in several European countries.(Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

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Colin Salmon in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999) and Die Another Day (2002) - Colin Salmon starred in a trio of James Bond films opposite Pierce Brosnan. As tall, suave and handsome Englishman Charles Robinson, he’s often Bond’s right hand man and primary contact when 007 needs to reach headquarters.(Photo: Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)

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Halle Berry in Die Another Day (2002) - Halle Berry portrayed Jinx Johnson alongside Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond in Die Another Day. Jinx was on the tail of a North Korean terrorist and originally tried to kill agent 007, but they ended up lovers. Berry’s Jinx was a popular Barbie doll.(Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)

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Jeffrey Wright in Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008) - Jeffrey Wright starred as Felix Leiter in a duo of James Bond films opposite Daniel Craig as agent 007. Felix is Bond's closest confidante and his role is a recast. The character has appeared in eight previous James Bond films.(Photo:Pat Sullivan/Photoshot/Getty Images)

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Naomie Harris in Skyfall (2012) - Naomie Harris joins secret agent 007 Daniel Craig in the 23rd James Bond adventure as Eve. Harris told a U.K. radio station that the action scenes required of her were the most challenging thing she’s ever done. Skyfall is in theaters Friday, November 9.(Photo: Dave M. Benett/WireImage)