Ernst Stavro Blofeld

Nemesis of James Bond, founder of SPECTRE, introduced to the world in Ian Fleming's novel, Thunderball. Portrayed in the movies as bald, with a scar over his eye, and a penchant for cats, he is the inspiration for Mike Meyers' Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies. Appeared in the movies From Russia With Love, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, Never Say Never Again and meets his untimely end in the first ten minutes of For Your Eyes Only. Portrayed by many actors including Donald Pleasance, Max Von Sydow, and Telly Savalas.

Blofeld's demise in For Your Eyes Only is frequently attributed to the legal dispute that arose over his creation. The first references to Ernst Blofeld appear in Thunderball, which was cowritten by Kevin McClory. As the only James Bond book to be penned with Ian Fleming and another author, McClory tried to claim the rights to the Bond franchise as it became popular (and thus, profitable) in the late seventies. Al Broccoli's production company, Eon, began casting off all Bond elements which were first introduced in Thunderball to avert any further lawsuits by Mr. McClory. Blofeld (and subsequently SPECTRE) are done away with in the beginning of For Your Eyes Only by familiar visuals of the villain, not by name.

McClory later was awarded the rights to the story in Thunderball but not the characters. This led to the remake/sequel Never Say Never Again, the only Bond movie produced outside of Eon and considered as non "canon" to Bond fans.