In 1968, George Lazenby, now 85, was cast as James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, taking on a role made famous by Sean Connery. Unfortunately, Lazenby struggled to fit into the iconic character, partly due to the bad advice he received. As his fame faded, he shifted his focus to family life, eventually facing tragedy in 1994 when his son died of a malignant brain tumor.
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The James Bond series began in 1963 with “James Bond 007: Dr. No” and has since developed into a cultural phenomenon that has included numerous films and actors over the decades. Sean Connery, who played Bond in five films between 1962 and 1967, grew tired of the role. In a 1965 interview with Playboy , he expressed his disinterest, stating that he was “sick of this Bond thing” and found the constant association with the character monotonous.
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When Connery resigned, producers were faced with the daunting task of finding a replacement. Lazenby, then a 29-year-old unknown actor from Australia, caught their attention after appearing in commercials for Fry’s chocolate spread. His persistence and charm helped him land the coveted role. Lazenby even spent his last savings on a bespoke suit that had originally belonged to Connery.
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At the audition, he boldly introduced himself with the words: “I heard you were looking for James Bond”, and was subsequently offered the role. When On Her Majesty’s Secret Service came out, however, reviews were mixed, and comparisons with Connery overshadowed Lazenby’s performance. In particular, critic Gene Siskel noted that Lazenby lacked the urbane confidence of his predecessor.
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Despite the criticism, Lazenby was given a million-dollar contract for six more films, but his manager talked him out of it and suggested he pursue other opportunities. This decision led to Lazenby being blacklisted in Hollywood and gaining a reputation for being difficult to work with.
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After a brief career in film and television, Lazenby devoted himself to a more private life. He married Christina Gannet in 1971 and they had two children. Tragically, their son Zachary battled a brain tumor for eight years before passing away at 19, leaving Lazenby “devastated”. Gannet shared on social media that the loss of Zachary was a deep sadness for both of them.
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After his son’s death, Lazenby divorced Gannet and later married Olympic tennis champion Pam Shriver, with whom he has three children. Today, Lazenby looks back on his life and appreciates his role as a father. He says: “The real achievements in my life are my children”. Do you remember Lazenby’s portrayal of Bond? Share your thoughts on his legacy!