His first role in the James Bond film series was in 1963, when he played the henchman Morzeny in "From Russia with Love". From the late 1970s he played the recurring role of KGB General Anatol Gogol in the series, beginning with "The Spy Who Loved Me" (1977). Gotell gained the role of Gogol because of his resemblance to the former head of Soviet secret police Lavrentiy Beria. The character returned in "Moonraker" (1979), "For Your Eyes Only" (1981), "Octopussy" (1983), "A View to a Kill" (1985), and "The Living Daylights" (1987). As the Cold War neared its end, the role of leader of the KGB was seen to change attitudes to the West – from direct competitor to collaborator. Gotell is one of a few actors to have played a villain and a Bond ally in the film series (others being Charles Gray, Richard Kiel and Joe Don Baker).