A078_JBISSETT
Two years after her film
debut, Bisset gained attention for her role in
Two for the Road (1967) with
Audrey Hepburn, and in that same year appeared in the popular James Bond spoof
Casino Royale (1967), playing Miss Goodthighs. In 1968 her career got a boost when
Mia Farrow unexpectedly dropped out of the shooting of
The Detective (1968); Farrow's marriage to co-star
Frank Sinatra was on the rocks, and her role was eventually given to Bisset, who received special billing in the film's credits. Her breakout role was as
Steve McQueen's girlfriend in the classic action film
Bullitt (1968). In the popular "disaster film"
Airport (1970), Bisset played a pregnant stewardess carrying
Dean Martin's love child, and she also had a memorable scene slapping
Helen Hayes. She became recognized in Europe as a serious actress when she played the lead in the French film "Day for Night" (
La nuit américaine (1973)). However, it would be several years before her talents would be taken seriously in the US. The following year she appeared in the hit film
Murder on the Orient Express (1974) with an ensemble cast.