You
probably have not heard the name George Lazenby how much more of linking him with
the popular agent James Bond code-named 007. Well, it just happens to be that he is actually the second actor
to portray James Bond, Eon productions.
George is an Australian actor, who was born on 5th September, 1939. His active years span from 1965 till date. This makes him the first Non-European to portray the character in a film. He has been married and divorced twice and he has three living children from four.
After
Sean Connery’s fifth Bond movie You Only Live Twice, he left the role in 1967.
The producers were in dire need of a replacement and they found that
replacement in George Lazenby as he had those qualities being depicted in the
novel. By taking this role in 1969, he became the youngest actor till date to
portray as James Bond.
However,
his role in that movie was his first and last. He declined to sign
a contract due to his agent who convinced him that the Bond movies would become
outdated in the 1970s. Unfortunately for him, the Bond movie series outlived
the 70s even till present times. Sean Connery later returned to the role in the film Diamonds Are Forever in 1971 and finally Never Say Never again which is a Non-Eon film in 1983.
However,
his role in that movie was his first and last. He declined to sign
a contract due to his agent who convinced him that the Bond movies would become
outdated in the 1970s. Unfortunately for him, the Bond movie series outlived
the 70s even till present times. Sean Connery later returned to the role in the film Diamonds Are Forever in 1971 and finally Never Say Never again which is a Non-Eon film in 1983.
Following
his decision to opt-out of the role, his career stalled and he moved into
business and invested in real estates. He later appeared in several films and
television series though they were not ‘limelight’ productions. Prior to taking
on the James Bond role, he was a model and also appeared in adverts.
George
Lazenby was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for the New Star of the Year –
Actor at the 27th Golden Globe Awards.
Though
the Bond movie he acted was commercially successful, his performance was
received with mixed reactions. While some felt his performance was closest to
Ian Fleming’s original depiction of the character, others felt he was the worst
Bond ever, lacking humour, quite stiff and annoying.
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