In 1968, George Lazenby, now 85, was cast as James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, taking over a role made famous by Sean Connery. Unfortunately, Lazenby struggled to fit into the iconic character, partly due to poor advice he received. As his fame dwindled, he shifted focus to family life, ultimately facing tragedy with the loss of his son to a malignant brain tumor in 1994.
The James Bond franchise began in 1963 with Dr. No and has since become a cultural phenomenon, featuring numerous films and actors over the decades. Sean Connery, who portrayed Bond in five films between 1962 and 1967, grew weary of the role. In a 1965 interview with Playboy, he expressed his disinterest, stating he was “sick of this Bond thing”, and found the constant association with the character monotonous.
When Connery stepped away, producers faced the daunting task of finding a successor. 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 tailored suit that had originally belonged to Connery.
Upon auditioning, he boldly introduced himself by saying: “I heard you’re looking for James Bond”, and was subsequently offered the part. However, upon the release of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, reviews were mixed, and comparisons to Connery overshadowed Lazenby’s performance. Notably, critic Gene Siskel remarked that Lazenby lacked the suave confidence of his predecessor.
Despite the criticism, Lazenby was presented with a $1 million contract for six more films, but his manager advised against it, suggesting he pursue other opportunities. This decision led to Lazenby being “blacklisted” in Hollywood, with a reputation for being difficult to work with.
After a brief career in film and television, Lazenby shifted 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 losing Zachary was a profound sorrow for them both.
Following his son’s death, Lazenby divorced Gannet and later married Olympic tennis champion Pam Shriver, with whom he has three children. Now, Lazenby reflects on his life and cherishes his role as a father, stating: “The real successes in my life are my children”. Remember Lazenby’s portrayal of Bond? Share your thoughts on his legacy!
Neighbor Asked My Son to Wash His Car for a Month but Refused to Pay – So I Gave Him a Lesson He’ll Never Forget
When Irene’s 14-year-old son, Ben, came home looking frustrated, she quickly found out that their smug neighbor, Mr. Peterson, refused to pay Ben for washing his car all month. Mr. Peterson claimed the car wasn’t spotless and used it as an excuse not to pay the $200 Ben had earned for his hard work.
Furious but composed, Irene decided to take matters into her own hands. The next morning, she approached Mr. Peterson, reminding him of their verbal agreement and mentioning the pictures Ben had taken of the car after every wash. Irene hinted at potential legal action, warning Mr. Peterson of the consequences if he didn’t pay. Startled, Mr. Peterson quickly handed over the $200 in cash.
When Irene returned home and gave Ben the money, he was shocked but proud of his mom’s determination. She taught him an important lesson: never let anyone take advantage of your hard work. They celebrated with lunch together, and Ben even considered applying for a new job at an ice cream parlor, knowing that if anything went wrong, his mom had his back.
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