George Lazenby
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| Name | George Lazenby |
| Caption | Lazenby in 1970 |
| Birth date | 5 September 1939 |
| Birth place | Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Actor, former model |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Spouse | Christina Gannett (m. 1971; div. 1995), Pam Shriver (m. 2002; div. 2008) |
George Lazenby. An Australian actor and former model, he is best known for portraying the iconic secret agent James Bond in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. His casting followed the departure of Sean Connery and preceded the tenure of Roger Moore, making him the only actor to play the role once in an Eon Productions film during the original series. Despite mixed critical reception at the time, his performance has since been re-evaluated more favorably by fans and critics of the film series.
Early life and career
Born in Goulburn, New South Wales, he served in the Australian Army before moving to London in the early 1960s. There, he found significant success as a model, notably in advertisements for the Big Fry chocolate bar and becoming the face of the Marks & Spencer brand. His work in British television commercials and his physical resemblance to Sean Connery brought him to the attention of the Bond film producers. He was discovered by film producer Albert R. Broccoli's wife, Dana Broccoli, while getting a haircut at a Mayfair salon, which led to a screen test at Pinewood Studios.
James Bond role
After an extensive search to replace Sean Connery, he was cast as James Bond for On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Directed by Peter R. Hunt, the film is noted for its more emotional depth and faithful adaptation of Ian Fleming's novel. Key sequences were filmed on location in Switzerland and Portugal, with his co-stars including Diana Rigg as Tracy di Vicenzo and Telly Savalas as Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Despite his lack of major acting experience, he performed many of his own stunts, including the famous bobsled chase. On the advice of his agent, he famously turned down a multi-film contract after the single outing, a decision he later stated he regretted.
Post-Bond career
Following his departure from the franchise, his career struggled to gain consistent momentum in the wake of such a defining role. He appeared in various international films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including the Bruce Lee tribute The Man from Hong Kong and the cult horror film The Kentucky Fried Movie. He also took roles in Hong Kong action films and Italian productions like Who Saw Her Die?. Later, he made notable guest appearances on television series such as The Simpsons and Baywatch, and had a supporting role in the Jet Li film War. His participation in documentaries like The Importance of Being Bond and Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 has kept him connected to the James Bond legacy.
Personal life
He has been married twice, first to Christina Gannett, an heiress to the Gannett Company newspaper fortune, with whom he had two children. The couple divorced in 1995. In 2002, he married former professional tennis player Pam Shriver; they had one child together before divorcing in 2008. He has lived in various locations including the United States, Australia, and Hong Kong. An avid car enthusiast, he has owned a notable collection of classic automobiles, including models from Aston Martin and Ferrari.
Filmography
A selection of his film and television work includes *On Her Majesty's Secret Service* (1969), *Universal Soldier* (1971), *The Man from Hong Kong* (1975), *The Kentucky Fried Movie* (1977), *Saint Jack* (1979), *The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (1983), *Hell Hunters* (1986), *Gettysburg* (1993), and *War* (2007). His television credits encompass guest roles on series such as *The Simpsons* (1996), *Baywatch* (1997), and *Spider-Man* (1999).
Category:Australian male actors Category:James Bond actors Category:1939 births