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. In 1971, Lazenby married his first wife Christina Gannett - heiress to the publishing company Gannett - with whom he had two children, Zachary and Melanie. That was after Bond, I think I had done three Kung Fu movies so I was pretty accurate, you know. According to our records, Christina Gannett is possibly single. What in 1968 was the most sought-after role in showbiz went to an Australian car salesman turned male model whose sole prior acting experience was bluffing his way past the receptionist at the London offices of EON Productions. George Robert Lazenby (/leznbi/; born 5 September 1939)[1] is an Australian actor. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. The latter was seen by Harry Saltzman who offered Lazenby a leading role in a proposed science fiction film The Micronauts. I was socking the bottle like crazy. "They did exploit me -- they took advantage of my lack of experience. Some of this is just fan-protectiveness, naturally; die-hards will always want to claim that the obscure document most folks don't know is superior to the popular one that they do. He studied martial arts under, He was set to co-star in the biggest budgeted action/martial arts film of all time in 1973, along with. (The Bond company, so to speak.). And he jumped up and swung at me and I broke his jaw. Lazenby's later screen appearance came at the turn of the 21st century when he appeared on several episodes of "The Pretender" (NBC, 1996-2000) and voiced The King, head of the Royal Flush gang, on the animated "Batman Beyond" (The WB, 1999-2001). His first wife was Christina Gannett, heiress to a news. George Lazenby age is 83 Years, his date of birth Tuesday, Sep 05, 1939, place of birth Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia, nationality as Australian and residence country (will update soon). Lazenby was paid $50,000 to portray James Bond. When she did it he gave her the money and allegedly told her: 'Congratulations - you are a whore. (1971), Universal Soldier pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui James Bond was so big that I myself didn't really exist. I'm still waiting for that one right, perfect role, to set things right. "[17] He also told the press "I don't think I'm ready for anything like Hamlet yet but I'd love to play Ned Kelly."[18]. George Lazenby was born in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia, and served in the Australian Army Special forces and as a military unarmed combat instructor. She says: 'In general, from the ages of about ten to 21 my Dad frequently would hit me, pin me up against a wall, slap me, and hold either my arms or my face with extreme force - frequently causing bruises. I didn't have a mind of my own, which was sad. (In 1978) I thought I was as important as any sheik. People came along and drank you dry. They were married for 21 years and had two children together, but their son Zack died of cancer aged 19. Melanie says she has never seen Lazenby bully or physically harm his children with Shriver. Peace - that's the message now. 'I was surprised to learn that - at the age of 65 - that he was having another child. He also made frequent tongue-in-cheek appearances as Bond or a Bond-like secret agent in TV movies and commercials. Anonymous, Other Works (2008), Four Dogs Playing Poker [43] They subsequently had two children, Zachary and Melanie. She says on one occasion when she was about 18, Lazenby pushed her head down a toilet into her own urine. In a September 2006 episode of The Daily Show, comedian John Oliver suggested that Pope Benedict XVI is the George Lazenby of the papacy, in comparison to "John Paul II's Sean Connery". Car Salesperson (Finished 1965 (bef.)) Lazenby has ridden his various motorcycles across the United States, on three different occasions. However this collapsed after Lee's sudden death Lazenby was actually meant to meet Lee for lunch on the day Lee died. He appeared in a TV movie Cover Girls (1977). She believes he felt 'helpless and frustrated' about not being able to cure Zack and 'lashed out even more in his aggravated and devastated state'. He's now the subject of Josh Greenbaum's Becoming Bond, a very funny original Hulu documentary that, through pure coincidence, made its debut on the streaming service only about 48 hours before the news of Moore's passing broke. 'He looked furious and he yelled "You park where I tell you to!"'. Melanie says she would only see Lazenby about once a year after her parents' divorce but made a decision to have more contact with him to have a relationship with her half-brothers and sister when he started a family with Shriver. I will never play him again. I'd saturate myself and pass out. At my thinnest point from the disease (I was 97 pounds and 5'8'') my Dad asked me if I was worried that "my legs might break and go up my ass" or sing "Here she comes, Miss Ethiopia" to the Miss America tune when I would walk past him. Lazenby had never spoken one line in a movie. His sister, Barbara, was an accomplished dancer. In 1978 Broccoli described casting Lazenby as "my biggest mistake in 16 years. Everybody has to do it. "I've got an American wife and green card so I have the best of both worlds."[50]. Had I been so-called 'successful' and continued on I would probably have had three or four Hollywood wives and a drug addition. He moved to London, England in 1964, after serving in the Australian Army. [citation needed], In 1973, Lazenby married his girlfriend of three years, Chrissie Townson, a member of the Gannett family. Lazenby's interest in acting waned during the early 1990s. Contessa Teresa, Diana Rigg), whom we havent seen for ages, in. (1983), Saint Jack | I cant say I was Richard Burton, or a great actor in it because it was my first acting experience, but I did carry the role. 10% off with JoJo Maman Bebe newsletter signup, At least 10% off in the outlet - LEGO discount, Extra 20% off on free Click & Collect orders at Claire's, 15% off your order over 29 - Baker Ross discount code, Up to 15% off Sony Playstation gift cards, Former Met acting commissioner described rape as regretful sex, Detectives hunting for Constance Martens baby find remains of infant, London Ambulance Service told to improve its ethnic diversity, Third of London pupils miss first pick of school, Shocking moment moped narrowly misses 70mph train at level crossing, Armed police swoop on Hackney Central station after man knifed, What is the Willow Project? Bob Wisehart, 'Movies: 007 rises, falls, then rises again', Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 17:45, several references to, and parodies of, Bond films. "[50] However the movie was never made. [13]a, Lazenby dressed for the part by sporting several sartorial Bond elements such as a Rolex Submariner wristwatch and a Savile Row suit, which had been ordered, but not collected, by Connery. Courtesy: Everett Collection 'I never left George until after our son passed away and our daughter was 21 years old, out of fear that he meant what he said and would follow through on it.'. He'd never acted in a play. His daughter Melanie Andrea, from his first marriage to Christina Gannett, was born on September 13, 1973. Before becoming an actor, he worked as an auto mechanic, used car salesman, prestige car salesman, and as a male model, in London, England. Later regretted leaving the Bond series after just one film. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. I'd really love that chance. He is estimated to be the wealthiest actor to have played James Bond. In fact, Lazenby's footage was edited from "Game of Death" when it was finally released to theaters in 1978. Although Lazenby had been offered a contract for seven movies, his agent, Ronan O'Rahilly, convinced him that the secret agent would be archaic in the liberated 1970s, and as a result he left the series after the release of On Her Majesty's Secret Service in 1969. Lazenby claims Shriver sought out his ex-wife and daughter during the French Open in May this year while she was 'secretly' preparing for a divorce. [12], In 1968, after Sean Connery had left the role of James Bond, producer Albert R. Broccoli met Lazenby for the first time while they were getting their hair cut at the same barbershop. Anyone who's in touch with the kids knows what's happening, knows the mood. Lazenby vehemently denies the allegations. I think everyone gets upset at one time. Not until the rough-and-ready Australian actually broke a stuntman's nose in a fight scene, performed as one of his many screen tests, did Broccoli finally decide to take a chance on him. But between Connery's departure and his (first) return there was a one-and-done Bond, perennial Trivial Pursuit curiosity George Lazenby. Celebrity Biographies George Lazenby has been divorced from Christina Gannett since 1995. The allegations are revealed in court papers filed last Friday as part of Lazenby's bitter custody fight with Shriver over their children Georgie, four, and two-year-old twins Sammy and Katie. But Lazenby says the declarations are 'contrived, unfounded and without merit'. George Robert Lazenby (/leznbi/; born 5 September 1939) is an Australian actor, martial artist and former model. Broke a stuntman's nose during a Bond fight screen test, and it was this physical strength that finalized his selection as Bond. The first film that Lazenby was signed to make with. "If I could get a TV series or a good movie, I swear I'd do it for nothing," he told a journalist. 6'2" (1.87m) Spouse. George Lazenby is currently filed for divorce from Pamela Shriver. 9/5/1939) George never said that he was sorry for any harm he caused to me or the children.'. Daughter Melanie Lazenby, now 34, says Lazenby 'tormented me, humiliated me, hurt me physically, scarred me emotionally' and 'placed a feeling of fear and mistrust in me'. George Lazenby is a 82 year old Australian Actor. George Lazenby Entertainment - Actor Why Famous: for portraying James Bond in the 1969 James Bond film Age: 83 (b. Say what you will about his performance in the movie, he's very convincing in the action scenes more than the older, suaver, Britisher Moore ever was, certainly. (1971), On Her Majesty's Secret Service [42] He spent the next 15 months sailing around the world with Chrissie Townson which ended when she became pregnant with their first child, prompting Lazenby to settle down and try to re-activate his career as an actor. It's not for nothing that they didn't offer him any sequels." Youve got to understand the story was good, and it had some substance while most of them, I hate to say, dont. Is an accomplished skier and in fact had won two skiing contests in Australia before becoming James Bond. Made film debut as a British Spy in the Italian-made Bond spoof "Marc Mato, Agente S.077", Became the highest-paid male model in the world, Cast as James Bond in the series' sixth film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"; became the only actor to have played the 007 agent in only one official Bond series film; nominated for a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer, Cast in the action-drama called "Universal Soldier"; also co-produced and co-wrote, Appeared in John Landis' "The Kentucky Fried Movie", Cast in what was to be his comeback role, co-starring with Bruce Lee in "Game of Death"; the sudden death of Lee delayed the films release and Lazenby was edited out of the final film, Appeared in the American TV drama "Evening at Byzantium", Played a senator in Peter Bogdanovich's black comedy "Saint Jack", Played the Aston Martin-driving 'JB' in "The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. His ex-wife Christina says Lazenby punched her in the face when she was five months pregnant and broke her nose when their son was dying from cancer. (In hindsight, this seems wildly ill-advised. Lazenby co-produced and co-wrote the picture, but the film did not have much of an impact at the box office. Publishing heiress Christina - also known as Townson or Gannett - met Lazenby in 1970, a year after his one film as Bond. Whatever I wanted I got. Courtesy: Everett Collection When Roger Moore died last week at the age of 89, many tributes hailed. Now I can give my full concentration to acting. [13] After this role Lazenby is claimed to have begun studying drama at Durham University's College of the Venerable Bede. Semi-retired from acting in 1993, and intended to retire completely in 2003, only to return to acting in 2012, averaging one film or television role per year since restarting, with two films in the pipeline as of 2020.. --Lazenby in Daily News, November 26, 1995. I've already put him behind me. According to our records, George Lazenby is possibly single. If I could get a TV series or a good movie, I swear I'd do it for nothing. [21], Rigg was also quoted as saying, "I can no longer cater for his obsession with himself. (Credit Image: KEYSTONE Pictures USA) Save up to 70% with our image packs Pre-pay for multiple images and download on demand. My agent couldn't believe it. Twin Sitters (2000), James Bond: The Secret Life of 007 [44], In 1973, Lazenby said he was "flat broke" when he went to Hong Kong to meet Bruce Lee and producer Raymond Chow. He had the masculinity. She claims he threatened to kill her when she told him she wanted a divorce and says she was so fearful he meant it that it took years before she found the courage to leave him in 1994. Shriver includes as an exhibit a copy of the letter she says she left Lazenby when she walked out on him after a row allegedly turned physical at Wimbledon last year. It was to insulate me from the madness around Bond. 'Melanie is always seeking revenge for that mistake,' he said. When I became famous I didn't know how to handle it, so it almost drove me crazy. Anyone who's in touch with the kids knows what's happening, knows the mood. This is the kind of film which is coming out in Europe now. 'When I looked up, George was furious and threatened to kill me if I didn't agree with him. He said he had 18 films to consider. My parents think I'm insane, everybody thinks I'm insane passing up maybe millions of pounds. That's all. [59], In 2010, Roger Moore, who also played James Bond, provided the voice of a talking cat character named Tab Lazenby in the film Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, which contained several references to, and parodies of, Bond films. (In 1978) Being James Bond was like being a cola bottle. Pam Shriver (m 2002 - 2011) , Christina Gannett (m 1971 - 1995) Children. Actors aren't all that important. 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