George Lazenby

Biography

George Lazenby, an Australian actor and former model, was born on September 5, 1939. He relocated to London in 1964 after completing his service in the Australian Army. Prior to embarking on his acting career, Lazenby held various jobs, including auto mechanic and used car salesman, eventually making a name for himself as a male model.

In a remarkable turn of events, Lazenby was selected to portray the iconic role of James Bond in 1968. His prior experience was limited to commercials and a minor role in a 1965 Italian Bond parody. Lazenby’s casting was largely attributed to a captivating screen-test fight sequence, complemented by his impressive interviews and audition footage. His first encounter with Albert R. Broccoli, the producer of the Bond series, occurred in a London hair salon in 1966, where Broccoli noted Lazenby’s potential as a future Bond.

Determined to embody the character, Lazenby invested his last savings into a tailored suit originally made for Sean Connery, along with a stylish Rolex watch and a classic Aston Martin DB5—an iconic vehicle associated with Bond. However, just before the release of his only Bond film, *On Her Majesty's Secret Service* (1969), he chose to step away from the role, feeling that the rigorous contract was too restrictive.

After his tenure as Bond, Lazenby engaged in a diverse career, appearing in TV films, commercials, and various television series. He also starred in the *Emmanuelle* film series, participated in Bond parodies, lent his voice to animated projects, and showcased his martial arts skills in several Hong Kong action films.