Full Name: George Robert Lazenby Date of Birth: 5th September 1939 Place of Birth: Queanbeyan, NSW, Australia . And he said: 'I never thought a family member would kick me when I was down'. Although Lazenby had been offered a contract for seven movies, his agent, Ronan O'Rahilly, convinced him that the secret agent would be archaic in the liberated 1970s, and as a result he left the series after the release of On Her Majesty's Secret Service in 1969. He appeared in a TV movie Cover Girls (1977). 'I was surprised to learn that - at the age of 65 - that he was having another child. "Then she assured me that I would be back at the top of my profession by the end of 1973. ", "George Lazenby moves house to Brentwood, California, for $2.8m", "Life of Brian: The Criterion Collection", George Lazenby at the National Film and Sound Archive, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Lazenby&oldid=1142129753, Season 4 episode 38: "In the Name of the Queen", Season 11 episode 21: "The Year of the Horse", Season 1 episode 12: "The End of the World", Season 4 episode 15: "Diamonds Aren't Forever", Season 2 episode 1: "Return of the Shadow Assassin", This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 17:45. He was soon earning 25,000 a year (515,000 today). "I burnt some bridges behind me, and it was fun, really. He also made frequent tongue-in-cheek appearances as Bond or a Bond-like secret agent in TV movies and commercials. She tells how Lazenby allegedly hit her in the face when she was aged 21 and five months pregnant when he told her where to park their car and she chose another space. Relationships. [14], Broccoli offered him an audition. 'He told me that Christmas was cancelled for me and that everyone else would be having a wonderful Christmas the next morning, except for me.'. In 2017, a Hulu docudrama film, Becoming Bond, featured Lazenby recounting his life story and portrayal of Bond. Lazenby had a few more, minor film roles before moving into property investment, buying mansions in Australia, Hawaii and California. Competes on the senior circuit in off-road dirt bike racing, and in stock car racing. DVD review Cine Outsider", "George Lazenby takes a new domestic role", "George Lazenby Far Eastern Odyssey (Part 1)", "George Lazenby: 'They offered me 1 million cash to do a second Bond film I walked away', "Paul McGann: The latest twist in his tale", "Sondre Lerche: on James Bond and George Lazenby", "Pam Shriver files for divorce from former Bond George Lazenby", "Which James Bond Just Got His License to Divorce? Newly married to newspaper heiress Christina Gannett in 1971, and the father of two young children, son Zachary and daughter Melanie, Lazenby did what so many other actors had done before him - he waded into the waters of international moviemaking, where his name and status as a former Bond lent star power to many a low-budget genre film . The documents were filed at Los Angeles Superior court along with Shriver's response to allegations made against her by Lazenby in his court declaration. (1978), The Kentucky Fried Movie "Harry Saltzman had always said, 'If you don't do another Bond you'll wind up doing spaghetti westerns in Italy. I don't know where my life would have gone if I hadn't have done it. Net worth. Christina Gannett and George Lazenby were married for 22 years. He's now the subject of Josh Greenbaum's Becoming Bond, a very funny original Hulu documentary that, through pure coincidence, made its debut on the streaming service only about 48 hours before the news of Moore's passing broke. I'd like to work for him. Years later, watching the movie again on DVD (with Lazenby's interviews), he found it to be "a perfect metaphor for life's disappointments". Broccoli told the press shortly after the film's release: I don't agree with the press. It's not for nothing that they didn't offer him any sequels." The film performed admirably at the box office, though not as well as the Bond pictures starring Connery, and was the second highest grossing film of 1969. Directors are. By using this site, you agree to our updated, M and Q and Moneypenny (Bernard Lee, Desmond Llewelyn and Lois Maxwell) express concern about 007, then we find him (George Lazenby, the first-ever new James Bond, in his Aston-Martin) pursuing Diana Rigg (as Teresa Tracy Draco in a Mercury) on the Portugese coast, opening, Abducted from a Portugese seaside resort by thugs reporting to European union-syndicate godfather Marc-Ange Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti), whose daughter (Diana Rigg) is his latest conquest, Bond (George Lazenby, in his first and only appearance as 007) frees himself to make inquiries, in, His false identity blown, trying to evade Blofelds thugs (Ilse Steppat et al), James Bond (George Lazenby) sneaks about the carnival at Lauterbrunnen (more precisley, Murren-Schilthorn, Switzerland), when hes rescued by Tracy (a.k.a. PICTURED: George Lazenby with first wife, CHRISTINA GANNETT. "[41], Lazenby next appeared in the 1972 Italian giallo film Who Saw Her Die? [43], In February 1973, he revealed that he had spent all of the money he had earned from playing Bond, had experienced two nervous breakdowns and had become an alcoholic. I was terrified.'. George Lazenby has been in a relationship with Jill St. John (1969). In 1968, Lazenby was cast as "James Bond", despite his only previous acting experience being in commercials, and his only film appearance being a bit-part in a 1965 Italian-made Bond spoof. George has won several celebrity stock car races and dirt-bike races, as well as amateur and professional races in both. For the early Australian settler, see. Roger Moore made reference to Lazenby in his commentary for a 2007 DVD release of The Man with the Golden Gun: I have a great deal of e-mail contact with George Lazenby; he's sort of in on the joke circuit that we simply send jokes to each other. Melanie says: 'Sadly, I have found that my Dad will often change the facts of the past to suit himself and I never sought an apology or acknowledgement of what happened after that. He previously owned a house in Pacific Palisades. But Sean Connery, who'd quit the role with one film remaining on his contract only to be lured back twice, eventually got to seven, too. "[38][40], "After the Bond fiasco nobody would touch me," admitted Lazenby. The ex-tennis champion says: 'I deny every single allegation that I am ever anything but cognisant and able to function well in all areas.'. By clicking Sign up you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. She couldn't drive the car properly and I got in to her about her drinking and things like that. But the word was out I was 'difficult'. $20 million. Lazenby has ridden his various motorcycles across the United States, on three different occasions. [5], When Lazenby was about 14 he moved with his family from Goulburn to Queanbeyan, where his father ran a store. And the instant successes one usually associates with somebody who is willing to learn anyway. 'When I looked up, George was furious and threatened to kill me if I didn't agree with him. Living on his 600 acre ranch in Valyermo, an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, California, USA with his wife, ESPN Sports tennis analyst and former internationally top-ranked pro-tennis player, Splitting his time between his homes in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, USA; in Australia; on his 600 acre ranch in Valyermo, unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, USA; while also traveling with his wife, ESPN's. [38][39], Lazenby made another film a year after On Her Majesty's Secret Service Universal Soldier (1971), which he helped write. She says he denied ever properly hitting her and allegedly told her 'that if he had ever actually hit me that I'd be dead.'. There's an actual story here, one of the greatest casting stories ever told. The actor scored well on both fronts - reportedly, he broke a stunt man's nose during a fight scene - and was announced as the new James Bond in the series' sixth film, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." He was the second actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond in the Eon Productions film series, playing the character in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). [33] Lazenby was complimentary of the finished film in later years; "In retrospect it was well done. He is the only actor to play the role of Bond only once in an . | George Lazenby and his fiancee, Christina Gannett, shortly before their marriage in 1971. I didn't have a mind of my own, which was sad. "They did exploit me -- they took advantage of my lack of experience. "[22], "I draw a veil over the chap," said Desmond Llewelyn (who played Q in 17 Bond films). Of course, the bigger issue was that Lazenby had announced before the movie even opened that he would not reprise the role the same move Connery had pulled two years earlier. He eventually signed on to a year as a recurring character on the daytime soap "General Hospital" (ABC, 1963- ) in 1982 before becoming a series regular in the expensive syndicated primetime soap opera "Rituals" (1984-85). Most film-makers don't watch and aren't in touch. In his review of Batman & Robin, widely regarded as the weakest and least successful film in the Batman film franchise, Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle said that George Clooney "should go down in history as the George Lazenby of the series". That an actor played the role of James Bond just one time is of less interest than the fact that he was not, in fact, an actor. (1988), Never Too Young to Die George Robert Lazenby /leznbi/ (born 5 September 1939) is an Australian actor and former model, best known for portraying James Bond in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service when he was 29. . George Lazenby and his wife Pamela Shriver are fighting for custody of their three children. They were married for 21 years and had two children together, but their son Zack died of cancer aged 19. Anyone who's in touch with the kids knows what's happening, knows the mood. He studied martial arts under, He was set to co-star in the biggest budgeted action/martial arts film of all time in 1973, along with. I just don't think I'm going to make it here. When he was young he spent 18 months in hospital after having an operation which left him with only half a kidney. She also claims he 'will often change the facts of the past to suit himself'. Born George Robert Lazenby on 5th September, 1939 in Queanbeyan . His lead role in the prime time soap opera, He was Golden Harvest studios original replacement for. They scored again because they got the right guy and a good movie. He is the only actor, other than Sean Connery, to play James Bond to have served in the military and the only one to have served in any branch of the Special Forces as Bond did. George Lazenby is a 82 year old Australian Actor. I cant believe its come to this,' he said. He'd never acted in a play. Most film-makers don't watch and aren't in touch. [12], In 1968, after Sean Connery had left the role of James Bond, producer Albert R. Broccoli met Lazenby for the first time while they were getting their hair cut at the same barbershop. "I'm excited to be able to concentrate on just acting in this film," he said. All I need is the chance.[41]. Throughout this busy period, Lazenby also continued to play up his pedigree as a former Bond; he was the Aston Martin-driving "JB" in "The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E." Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations. Enter your password to log in. Lazenby and Shriver faced each other in court for the first time on Monday, when a judge refused their appeal to seal the case file and keep further damaging revelations out of the public eye. George Robert Lazenby was born September 5, 1939 in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia, to Sheila Joan (Bodel) and George Edward Lazenby. Lazenby said he intended to make the next Bond film, which was to be The Man with the Golden Gun. I know I can do it. Daughter Melanie Lazenby, now 34, says Lazenby 'tormented me, humiliated me, hurt me physically, scarred me emotionally' and 'placed a feeling of fear and mistrust in me'. I think it's a pretty foolish move. George Lazenby notoriously quit the James Bond franchise after starring in just one movie, 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Explore; . Anonymous, Other Works [63], Lazenby lives in Brentwood, Los Angeles. I don't think I'm a good enough actor to get fragmented like that on a job. The position was consolidated when Lazenby accidentally punched a professional wrestler, who was acting as stunt coordinator, in the face, impressing Broccoli with his ability to display aggression. On. Who is Christina Gannett dating? he bitter divorce battle between George Lazenby and estranged wife Pamela Shriver descended into further turmoil today after the actor's first wife claimed he subjected her to years of physical and emotional abuse. Lazenby made a guest appearance on the television series Superboy, as an alien disguised as Jor-El, in a two-part episode during the series' second season in 1990. I felt sorry for George, but I was afraid to get trapped in the closet with him in that state. But Casino Royale Daniel Craig was good in that. Dance instructor. 2023 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sometimes he would attack me under the influence of alcohol, sometimes sober.'. In 1971, Lazenby married his first wife Christina Gannett - heiress to the publishing company Gannett - with whom he had two children, Zachary and Melanie. The series - in which he played a writer and former love interest of main vixen Tina Louise - fared poorly and was cancelled after only a year. (On the Bond producers) They made me feel like I was mindless. [13]a, Lazenby dressed for the part by sporting several sartorial Bond elements such as a Rolex Submariner wristwatch and a Savile Row suit, which had been ordered, but not collected, by Connery. [2] He declined to return in subsequent Bond films and instead pursued roles in films throughout the 1970s that included Universal Soldier (1971), Who Saw Her Die? His father was the greens keeper for their town's bowls club. Made film debut as a British Spy in the Italian-made Bond spoof "Marc Mato, Agente S.077", Became the highest-paid male model in the world, Cast as James Bond in the series' sixth film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"; became the only actor to have played the 007 agent in only one official Bond series film; nominated for a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer, Cast in the action-drama called "Universal Soldier"; also co-produced and co-wrote, Appeared in John Landis' "The Kentucky Fried Movie", Cast in what was to be his comeback role, co-starring with Bruce Lee in "Game of Death"; the sudden death of Lee delayed the films release and Lazenby was edited out of the final film, Appeared in the American TV drama "Evening at Byzantium", Played a senator in Peter Bogdanovich's black comedy "Saint Jack", Played the Aston Martin-driving 'JB' in "The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. He said 'oh my girlfriend said to'. 1995) [ citation needed ] Pam Shriver . Sample Page; ; James Bond was so big that I myself didn't really exist. He got into trouble when his mother was contacted to pay for the membership. Publicity Listings I think James Bond is great, but some of his little idiosyncracies I don't like, such as champagne and caviar, which I can't stand. A chance encounter with Bond series producer Albert R. Broccoli in a hair salon in 1966, in London, had given Lazenby his first shot at getting the role. Actors aren't all that important. I used to be able to stroll into London clubs like Tramp. On 19 September 2013, comedian Jim Jefferies announced on Twitter that Lazenby would be playing his father in the upcoming second season of his FX network sitcom Legit. In a statement released by his spokesman Michael Sands he said: 'I wish Christina would show me a medical report, x-rays and pictures that show I broke her nose. Christina Gannett has been divorced from George Lazenby since 1995. All I need is the chance. There's always something you did wrong. [55], Lazenby's single portrayal of the iconic Bond character, and his lack of standing as a favourite in the series, has resulted in his name being used as a metaphor for forgettable, non-iconic acting efforts in other entertainment franchises, and for entities that are largely ignored. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. He is known for playing the fictional British secret agent James Bond in the Eon Productions film series, playing the character in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). Semi-retired from acting in 1993, and intended to retire completely in 2003, only to return to acting in 2012, averaging one film or television role per year since restarting, with two films in the pipeline as of 2020.. [6][7][8], Lazenby moved to London in 1963 to pursue a woman with whom he'd fallen in love. He was offered a seven-movie deal by the Bond producers, but quit the role because he felt that the tuxedo-clad Bond would die out in the new hippie culture that had permeated society in the late 1960s and early 1970s. he added. [64], This article is about the actor. Served as a sergeant in the Australian Special Forces. (CBS, 1983), and "James" in an episode of the revived "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (NBC/USA, 1985-87). In a September 2006 episode of The Daily Show, comedian John Oliver suggested that Pope Benedict XVI is the George Lazenby of the papacy, in comparison to "John Paul II's Sean Connery". His lead role in the closet with him in that was soon earning 25,000 a year 515,000. Advantage of my lack of experience her Die knows the mood 's bowls club property investment buying. Casino Royale Daniel Craig was good in that film-makers do n't think I 'm a good.. Gannett and George Lazenby since 1995 car properly and I got in to account... 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