Which actor played Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice?

Donald Pleasence played Ernst Stavro Blofeld in You Only Live Twice.

Released in 1967, the film was the first official Bond movie to show Blofeld’s face. Pleasence portrayed him as the head of SPECTRE, directing a scheme involving spacecraft and escalating tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Blofeld’s scarred appearance became one of the character’s most recognizable screen images.

Sean Connery played James Bond, and Lewis Gilbert directed the film. The screenplay was written by Roald Dahl, who adapted elements from Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel while making substantial changes for the screen.

Blofeld was played by different actors in later official films. Telly Savalas portrayed him in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, while Christoph Waltz played him in Spectre and No Time to Die. Those casting changes are a frequent source of confusion.