1. Blofeld
Brilliant as Goldfinger is, he is barely outdone by Ernst Starvo Blofeld, the bald, scarred, cat-stroking leader of SPECTRE, famed not only for appearing in the most Bond films of any villain to date, but having a special lineage in Flemings novel, starring in a trilogy of novels (Thunderball, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and You Only Live Twice) and therefore being Flemings most prominent and developed villain. His legacy in the Bond films, however, is even more prolific; he has appeared in From Russia with Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, and For Your Eyes Only, finally appearing to die in the latter. Add to this his unofficial seventh appearance in the controversial Thunderball remake, Never Say Never Again, and you have a character clearly held in high esteem by Bond filmmakers and fans. That many of his traits have become pop-culture clichés says more about his iconic stature than anything.