George Lazenby

Date of Birth: September 5, 1939

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Biography

George Lazenby is an Australian actor and former model best known for his portrayal of James Bond in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” Born on September 5, 1939, in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia, Lazenby initially worked as a car salesman and model before breaking into the film industry. Lazenby’s path to stardom began rather unconventionally. Despite having no prior acting experience, he was cast as James Bond after producers saw him in a commercial. His portrayal of the iconic character was met with mixed reviews, but over time, the film has gained a cult following and is now considered one of the best Bond films by many fans. After his brief stint as Bond, Lazenby turned down a lucrative contract to continue in the role, choosing instead to pursue other opportunities. His career post-Bond included a variety of roles in films and television, though none reached the same level of fame. He appeared in movies such as “Universal Soldier” (1971), “The Man from Hong Kong” (1975), and “The Shrine of Ultimate Bliss” (1974). In addition to his acting career, Lazenby has worked as a real estate broker and entrepreneur. Despite the ups and downs of his career, he remains a significant figure in the world of cinema, particularly within the James Bond franchise.

5 Interesting Facts about George Lazenby

1. George Lazenby was the youngest actor to portray James Bond, at the age of 29.

2. Before becoming an actor, Lazenby was a successful male model and even held the title of “Top Model of 1968.”

3. He was discovered for the James Bond role after producers saw him in a commercial for Big Fry Chocolate.

4. Lazenby turned down a seven-film contract to continue as James Bond, influenced by his then-manager who believed the Bond series would be outdated by the 1970s.

5. He holds a black belt in karate, a skill he utilized in several of his film roles.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Lazenby

1. “I don’t regret giving up Bond. I think that I would have had a brain explosion if I had kept doing it.”

2. “I thought if I became James Bond, I’d finally become somebody.”

3. “I was the highest-paid male model in Europe. I earned a lot of money, but I was never satisfied.”

4. “Being an actor was never as much fun as being a Bond.”

5. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth George Lazenby achieved is estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

George Lazenby has three children. He had two children, Zachary and Melanie, with his first wife, Christina Gannett. Zachary tragically passed away in 1994 from a brain tumor. Lazenby also has three children with his second wife, tennis player Pam Shriver: George, Jr., and twins Kate and Sam.