The second actor to play James Bond in the official EON series, George Lazenby, has announced his retirement. George, 84, made the announcement on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), where he explained: ‘It’s been a fun ride but getting older is no fun’. He told his many fans that he will not be doing any more acting, giving any more interviews, or making any more public appearances. He also expressed his ‘sincere gratitude’ to all his supporters, adding: ‘It has meant a lot to me’.
Born in Goulbourn, Australia, on 5th September, 1939, George had moved to London in 1963 and found employment as a car salesman. He then found work as a male model and was voted Top Model of the Year in 1966. His acting experience was limited to appearances in TV commercials, most famously for Frys Chocolate Cream Bars, where he featured as ‘The Big Fry Man’.
When Sean Connery left the EON franchise after his fifth Bond movie, You Only Live Twice (1967), Bond producers Albert R. ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and Harry Saltzman faced the daunting prospect of finding a man who could fill Sean’s shoes. After an extensive search, and much to the surprise of the movie industry and general commentators, they offered the role to Lazenby.
Although he only played 007 on one occasion, George Lazenby brought to the role a younger more physical James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), undoubtedly one of the best films in the series, and ably directed by Bond film veteran Peter Hunt. The film closely followed the plot of Ian Fleming’s original novel.
Helped by a strong supporting cast, including Diana Rigg as Tracy and Telly Savalas as Blofeld, together with the familiar MI6 HQ staff from the Connery films (Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell and Desmond Llewellyn), Lazenby’s 007 adventure made extensive use of some spectacular snow-bound scenery, was beautifully shot, and was backed up by one of composer John Barry’s superb soundtracks. Hunt helped Lazenby find his confidence and some hidden depths as an actor and drew out some powerful moments from him in key scenes, including in the very emotional final sequence where Bond loses his new wife.
Lazenby was offered a 7-movie deal by the Bond producers EON but, mainly on the advice of his agent, he 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 70s. Bond producer Cubby Broccoli once remarked that Lazenby could have been the best Bond had he not quit after just one film.
Lazenby remained in films after his brief flirtation with Bond, in productions as varied as Universal Soldier, The Man From Hong Kong, Stoner, Saint Jack, Kentucky Fried Movie and Gettysburg. He also appeared in numerous TV shows. He was also happy to star as non-official versions of James Bond as a kind of affectionate tribute to the character, such as ‘JB’ in The Return of the Man From UNCLE (1983) and as ‘James Grant’ in Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1989), in an episode entitled ‘Diamonds Aren’t Forever’. At the same time, after he moved away from showbiz somewhat, he also carved out a successful career investing in business and real estate.
In more recent times, George has become hugely popular on the Bond fan circuit, appearing at film conventions, charity events and anniversary signings, and contributing to a number of well-received documentaries. In 2017, he was the subject of a critically-acclaimed docudrama called Becoming Bond, which explored his experiences with the 007 franchise and his controversial decision to leave the iconic role.
Although George Lazenby starred as James Bond only once in the long-running franchise, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is rightly regarded as one of the most ‘Bondian’ of the early James Bond films, embodying everything that dedicated 007 fans love about the most successful movie franchise in cinema history.
The very first JBIFC Convention (when we were known as the James Bond British Fan Club), was held in a small cinema in Wardour Street in London’s Soho area in 1980, and you will not be surprised to learn that OHMSS was screened that day due to fan demand, much to the glee of attendees. Screened in the confines of a relatively enclosed viewing room, the sound effects to the movie seemed to be amplified to maximum degree, to the point where it almost felt as if you were in the very heart of the action (think of the scraping and eardrum piercing screeches of the metal helmets on the ice-walls in the bobsleigh chase!). It was truly a day to remember.
The JBIFC wish George a hugely relaxing and wonderful retirement. We salute you, Sir.
