Felix Leiter

Felix Leiter is a fictional character created by Ian Fleming in his James Bond spy fiction series, appearing in multiple novels beginning with 'Casino Royale' (1953). Portrayed in numerous Bond films by different actors including Jeffrey Wright, David Hedison, and John Terry, Felix serves as James Bond's trusted American CIA ally and friend. The character represents the Anglo-American intelligence partnership central to Cold War espionage narratives. Felix is characterized as a competent, professional intelligence officer who assists Bond on various missions while maintaining their friendship across their respective agencies. His role evolved throughout the franchise, sometimes appearing as a mentor figure and other times as a colleague in the field. Unlike some of Bond's allies, Felix consistently demonstrates integrity and capability, making him one of the few characters Bond genuinely trusts. The character's presence in the Bond films reflects the real-world cooperation between MI6 and the CIA during the Cold War and beyond. Felix Leiter became particularly prominent in recent Bond films, particularly in Daniel Craig's interpretation of the character.