George Lazenby

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Birthday:

5 September 1939, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia

Birth Name:

George Robert Lazenby

Height:

188 cm

George Robert Lazenby was born September 5, 1939 in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia, to Sheila Joan (Bodel) and George Edward Lazenby. He moved to London, England in 1964, after serving in the Australian Army. Before becoming an actor, he worked as an auto mechanic, used car salesman, prestige car salesman, and as a male model, in London, England. In 1968, Lazenby was cast as "James Bond", despite his only previous acting experience being in commercials, and his only film appearance being a bit-part in a 1965 Italian-made Bond spoof. Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene, the strength of his interviews, fight skills and audition footage. A chance encounter with Bond series producer Albert R. Broccoli in a hair salon in 1966, in London, had given Lazenby his first shot at getting the role. Broccoli had made a mental note to remember Lazenby as a possible candidate at the time when he thought Lazenby looked like a Bond. The lengths Lazenby went to to get the role included spending his last pounds on acquiring a tailor-made suit from Sean Connery's tailor, which was originally made for Connery, along with purchasing a very Bondish-looking Rolex watch.Lazenby quit the role of Bond right before the premiere of his only film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), citing he would get other acting roles, and that his Bond contract, which was fourteen pages thick, was too demanding on him.In his post-Bond career, Lazenby has acted in TV movies, commercials, various recurring roles in TV series, the film series "Emmanuelle", several Bond movie spoofs, TV guest appearances, provided voice for several animated movies and series, and several Hong Kong action films, using his martial arts expertise. Show less «

[Albert R. Broccoli] will tell you that I was a failure and difficult to work with. Unfortunately, he told a lot of people that and it meant...Show more »

[Albert R. Broccoli] will tell you that I was a failure and difficult to work with. Unfortunately, he told a lot of people that and it meant that it was impossible to get employment. Show less «

[the result of his decision not to continue playing James Bond] I didn't have a job, I had two kids, I was married, and I was broke.

[when asked why he wanted to be James Bond] I'm looking forward to the broads and the bread.

I look back and think, "How did that happen?" I had no idea where I was going when I got into the Bond film. When I became famous I didn't k...Show more »

I look back and think, "How did that happen?" I had no idea where I was going when I got into the Bond film. When I became famous I didn't know how to handle it, so it almost drove me crazy. In retrospect you can only blame yourself. I'd loved to have had that time over again and done another one or two [Bond films], it would have worked out great for me. Show less «

Fame is short-lived and you're the last to know when you are no longer hot. I used to be able to stroll into London clubs like Tramp. But on...Show more »

Fame is short-lived and you're the last to know when you are no longer hot. I used to be able to stroll into London clubs like Tramp. But one day I turned up and the doorman blocked my way. Suddenly I was no longer Bond, I was just plain old George Lazenby, and that didn't even give me license to get into a club. Show less «

[describing the James Bond character] He was a ruthless bastard, really.

[on GoldenEye (1995)] If Pierce Brosnan walked into a room, I doubt anyone would look up. But this is the '90s and women want a different ma...Show more »

[on GoldenEye (1995)] If Pierce Brosnan walked into a room, I doubt anyone would look up. But this is the '90s and women want a different man, a man who shows his feminine side. Pierce definitely has that. Show less «

I'm still waiting for that one right, perfect role, to set things right. I'd really love that chance.

[In 2002, speaking in retrospect about his decision to resign from the role of James Bond after only one film] Without any doubt I should ha...Show more »

[In 2002, speaking in retrospect about his decision to resign from the role of James Bond after only one film] Without any doubt I should have gone back to do at least one more, just to dispel any rumours that they fired me. Anybody that knows me and has been around me knows that I walked away from it, which wasn't a smart thing to do from a career stand-point. Show less «

I don't know where my life would have gone if I hadn't have done it. Had I been so-called 'successful' and continued on I would probably hav...Show more »

I don't know where my life would have gone if I hadn't have done it. Had I been so-called 'successful' and continued on I would probably have had three or four Hollywood wives and a drug addition. That was me at the time. I just went where the flavor was at the time. I didn't have a mind of my own, which was sad. I would liked to have had the mind I have now at twenty nine. Show less «

[on being cast as James Bond] At first I was very humble about it and naive. And then I kinda got on the bandwagon and sort of said, 'I must...Show more »

[on being cast as James Bond] At first I was very humble about it and naive. And then I kinda got on the bandwagon and sort of said, 'I must be who they say I am' and demanded limousines and the whole bit. Show less «

[on Diana Rigg] You know, the funny part was, she thought I was a complete idiot. It was like, you know, we had the love scene and, honest t...Show more »

[on Diana Rigg] You know, the funny part was, she thought I was a complete idiot. It was like, you know, we had the love scene and, honest to god, they had to pull me off her! Oh, and then I beat her boyfriend at chess - that really made her take matters. My old man was completely sick in bed for a couple of years and he used to play chess in bed with the doctor who taught me how to play. I beat him and the doctor, lord knows how. And then he [Rigg's boyfriend] and I was playing chess and he smashed the chess board and walked out of the room. I think I upset him and made her like me. Show less «

[asked about his martial arts proficiency] Well, if you call brawling in Australian country pubs martial arts.

One guy in Australia dropped friggin' spaghetti on my head, and I said 'What did ya do that for?' He said 'oh my girlfriend said to'. So, an...Show more »

One guy in Australia dropped friggin' spaghetti on my head, and I said 'What did ya do that for?' He said 'oh my girlfriend said to'. So, anyway I figured he'd have a whole plate in front of him, so I could push it in his lap. I said, I didn't think I be gin to do that. And he jumped up and swung at me and I broke his jaw. That was after Bond, I think I had done three Kung Fu movies so I was pretty accurate, you know. If you miss those bloody Chinese buggers they'll belt you for good. Show less «

[on Diana Rigg] Diana and I would have been good friends except she wanted a deal where I don't muck around with any of the other girls. And...Show more »

[on Diana Rigg] Diana and I would have been good friends except she wanted a deal where I don't muck around with any of the other girls. And I couldn't keep it. And it was funny, I'll tell you this story 'cause it was true. I had a good time you know and I was quite fascinated with the receptionist at the front desk at the hotel. And that was my league you know, I was used to that. I was into these fancy actresses at the time. I hadn't got up to that level yet. This stunt man had this tent outside of the hotel where they had all their gear and all the mattresses, full on and full of dolls and everything. And I took the receptionist in there...and I told Diana 'I'm not mucking around with anybody else', you know... And the stunt man saw me go in there and Diana's walking up the path and I'm right in the middle of it and he lifted up the side of the tent! Show less «

I was socking the bottle like crazy. I had maybe two bottles of vodka a day. I'd saturate myself and pass out. It was to insulate me from th...Show more »

I was socking the bottle like crazy. I had maybe two bottles of vodka a day. I'd saturate myself and pass out. It was to insulate me from the madness around Bond. Show less «

(On his astrologer) Even before I made the Bond picture she said I would become famous, and that there would be big problems for a couple of...Show more »

(On his astrologer) Even before I made the Bond picture she said I would become famous, and that there would be big problems for a couple of years", he said. "Then she assured me that I would be back at the top of my profession by the end of 1973. It's absolutely fantastic, because everything she has told me has happened. Show less «

I much prefer being a car salesman to a stereotyped James Bond. My parents think I'm insane, everybody thinks I'm insane passing up maybe mi...Show more »

I much prefer being a car salesman to a stereotyped James Bond. My parents think I'm insane, everybody thinks I'm insane passing up maybe millions of pounds. Nobody believed me. They thought it was a publicity stunt. But it's just me doing my own thing. Show less «

(Interview with an Australian magazine) I got a few roles but nothing spectacular, yet I was ready, willing and able to work. I just don't t...Show more »

(Interview with an Australian magazine) I got a few roles but nothing spectacular, yet I was ready, willing and able to work. I just don't think I'm going to make it here. If something good came along I'd stay, though. Show less «

Fantasy doesn't interest me. Reality does. Anyone who's in touch with the kids knows what's happening, knows the mood. Watch pop music and l...Show more »

Fantasy doesn't interest me. Reality does. Anyone who's in touch with the kids knows what's happening, knows the mood. Watch pop music and learn what's going to happen. Most film-makers don't watch and aren't in touch. People aren't going to films because film-makers are putting out films people don't want to see. As for the so-called "Tomorrow movies" they are only tomorrow movies with yesterday directors ... Actors aren't all that important. Directors are. I'm terribly impressed with Dennis Hopper. I'd like to work for him. I also like Arthur Penn, John Schlesinger and Peter Yates ... What I'm going to do is look for a great director first, a good screenplay second. Meanwhile, no more Bond. I make better money doing commercials. Show less «

(On Sean Connery The interesting thing about that is - I've never met Sean. I don't know him at all. Once, years ago, he came to pick up som...Show more »

(On Sean Connery The interesting thing about that is - I've never met Sean. I don't know him at all. Once, years ago, he came to pick up someone who was staying at my house and I saw him through the door. That's all. But I always admired him. I tried to copy him when I played Bond because, after all, I wasn't an actor so I thought my best chance would be to try and be as close to Connery as I could. Show less «

If I could get a TV series or a good movie, I swear I'd do it for nothing. People ask me if the Bond movie wasn't worth it if it got me into...Show more »

If I could get a TV series or a good movie, I swear I'd do it for nothing. People ask me if the Bond movie wasn't worth it if it got me into acting. It's true that it got me in, but it wasn't worth the ten years it cost me. Show less «

It hasn't been easy, trying to climb back... I admit I acted stupidly. It went to my head, everything that was happening to me. But remember...Show more »

It hasn't been easy, trying to climb back... I admit I acted stupidly. It went to my head, everything that was happening to me. But remember, it was my first film... Now what I've got to do is live down my past; convince people I'm not the same person who made a fool of himself all those years ago. I know I can do it. All I need is the chance. Show less «

(On Harry Saltzman who offered Lazenby a leading role in a proposed science fiction film The Micronauts) When I tossed Bond in after one mov...Show more »

(On Harry Saltzman who offered Lazenby a leading role in a proposed science fiction film The Micronauts) When I tossed Bond in after one movie he said he'd make sure I never got another job. Now he's offering me one. It seems that the 10-year sentence is up. Harry saw me in a TV show I'd recently made for NBC. He rang me up out of the blue and said, "Now that was a damn lousy show, but one thought that you were ger-reat". Show less «

Well, I think Australians are... there is a shortage of women... put it that way. So you've got all this testosterone floating around so at ...Show more »

Well, I think Australians are... there is a shortage of women... put it that way. So you've got all this testosterone floating around so at 10 o'clock at night and what else is there to do but punch your mate! There's always something you did wrong. Show less «

One time, we were on location at an ice rink and Diana [Rigg] and Peter [Hunt] were drinking champagne inside. Of course I wasn't invited as...Show more »

One time, we were on location at an ice rink and Diana [Rigg] and Peter [Hunt] were drinking champagne inside. Of course I wasn't invited as Peter was there. I could see them through the window, but the crew were all outside stomping around on the ice trying to keep warm. So, when she got in the car, I went for her. She couldn't drive the car properly and I got in to her about her drinking and things like that. Then she jumped out and started shouting 'he's attacking me in the car!' I called her a so-and-so for not considering the crew who were freezing their butts off outside. And it wasn't that at all in the end, as she was sick that night, and I was at fault for getting in to her about it. I think everyone gets upset at one time. Show less «

Sean Connery was James Bond for me. He did very well and I was intimidated because he was a real actor. He had James Bond created around his...Show more »

Sean Connery was James Bond for me. He did very well and I was intimidated because he was a real actor. He had James Bond created around his personality and that weakened my position. It was difficult to follow him. Show less «

(On Peter R. Hunt He never spoke to me. Whatever Peter told me went through the assistant. This situation has existed throughout the film. H...Show more »

(On Peter R. Hunt He never spoke to me. Whatever Peter told me went through the assistant. This situation has existed throughout the film. He told everyone that they had to stay away from me. Peter believed that the more I was alone, the better I'd be like James Bond. That was his theory. Show less «

I think James Bond is great, but some of his little idiosyncracies I don't like, such as champagne and caviar, which I can't stand.

(On the Bond producers) They made me feel like I was mindless. They disregarded everything I suggested simply because I hadn't been in the f...Show more »

(On the Bond producers) They made me feel like I was mindless. They disregarded everything I suggested simply because I hadn't been in the film business like them for about a thousand years. Show less «

Bond is a brute. I've already put him behind me. I will never play him again. Peace - that's the message now.

(On roles he's been offered) But it's all commercial rubbish, such as the guy getting the girl at the end of Battle of Britain (1969). I'll ...Show more »

(On roles he's been offered) But it's all commercial rubbish, such as the guy getting the girl at the end of Battle of Britain (1969). I'll just have to wait and see. Show less «

After the Bond fiasco nobody would touch me. Harry Saltzman had always said, 'If you don't do another Bond you'll wind up doing spaghetti We...Show more »

After the Bond fiasco nobody would touch me. Harry Saltzman had always said, 'If you don't do another Bond you'll wind up doing spaghetti Westerns in Italy. But I couldn't even get one of those. My agent couldn't believe it. But the word was out - I was 'difficult'. Show less «

(In 1978) I thought I was as important as any sheik. Whatever I wanted I got. Looking back, the one thing I missed out on was reality.

(In 1978) I hung around Australia for a long time a couple of years ago. I got a few roles but nothing spectacular, yet I was ready, willing...Show more »

(In 1978) I hung around Australia for a long time a couple of years ago. I got a few roles but nothing spectacular, yet I was ready, willing and able to work. I just don't think I'm going to make it here. If something good came along, I'd stay, though. Show less «

(In 1978) Being James Bond was like being a cola bottle. People came along and drank you dry. James Bond was so big that I myself didn't rea...Show more »

(In 1978) Being James Bond was like being a cola bottle. People came along and drank you dry. James Bond was so big that I myself didn't really exist. Show less «

(In 1978) I enjoy the States, to be quite honest about it. I've got an American wife and green card so I have the best of both worlds.

(On the unmade The Golden Needles of Ecstasy) I'm excited to be able to concentrate on just acting in this film. On Universal Soldier (1972)...Show more »

(On the unmade The Golden Needles of Ecstasy) I'm excited to be able to concentrate on just acting in this film. On Universal Soldier (1972) I was involved in the production, the writing and even a bit in direction. I don't think I'm a good enough actor to get fragmented like that on a job. Now I can give my full concentration to acting. I hope it will be good and lead to other roles. Show less «

(On Tie jin gang da po zi yang guan (1974)) I have worked out every day for two hours and have run three miles every morning to get fit for ...Show more »

(On Tie jin gang da po zi yang guan (1974)) I have worked out every day for two hours and have run three miles every morning to get fit for the role. It is the most taxing form of film fighting activity in the world. You can't be slow and hope to look as if you're standing up to these experts. But you learn from the fight masters employed on the film, learn a bit of karate and a bit of ballet and hope to keep on your feet. What I mostly want to do is earn us enough money to live the way we want to. Nothing on earth could buy me into the degradation of another Bond film, with all that entails. Show less «