What male secret squirrel comes to mind, when thinking about real life spies? Ian Flemings' James Bond most likely is the first one to pop up. A fictional character created from the real-life exploits of Sidney Reilly. Male fictional spies are easy, male real-life spies are harder-oh, and Paul Revere doesn't count. Now, flip the scenario for women. I honestly draw a blank for the fictional, but in real life the list is long.