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Although he had previously worked in television advertising and an Italian [[spy movie|spy themed]] [[B-movie]], Lazenby's first serious acting role was as [[James Bond (character)|James Bond]] in the film ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]'' (1969). Lazenby is the second actor to portray the British secret agent in a Bond feature film after [[Sean Connery]], who had become a cultural icon in the role, quit the role in 1967.
Although he had previously worked in television advertising and an Italian [[spy movie|spy themed]] [[B-movie]], Lazenby's first serious acting role was as [[James Bond (character)|James Bond]] in the film ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]'' (1969). Lazenby is the second actor to portray the British secret agent in a Bond feature film after [[Sean Connery]], who had become a cultural icon in the role, quit the role in 1967.


After 21-year-old actor [[Timothy Dalton]] declined the role, believing himself too young for the role<ref>{{cite video|date=|title=Inside The Living Daylights|medium=DVD|publisher=MGM Home Entertainment|location=|accessdate=|time=|id=|quote=}}</ref> [[Albert R. Broccoli]] chose Lazenby after seeing him in a commercial.<ref name="documentary">{{cite video|title=Inside On Her Majesty's Secret Service|medium=DVD|location=''OHMSS'' Ultimate Edition DVD|publisher =MGM Home Entertainment Inc.|date=2000}}</ref> Lazenby dressed the part by sporting several sartorial Bond elements such as a [[Rolex]] Submariner wristwatch and a [[Savile Row]] suit (ordered, but uncollected, by Connery).<ref name="Andere Tijden">[http://geschiedenis.vpro.nl/programmas/2899536/afleveringen/32270599/ De 'vergeten' 007]. Andere Tijden, [[VPRO]], [[Nederland 2]] 20:25–21:25.</ref> Broccoli offered him an audition. The position was consolidated when Lazenby accidentally punched a [[professional wrestler]], who was acting as [[stunt coordinator]], in the face, impressing Broccoli with his ability to display aggression. As a result, he was offered a contract for seven movies, but was convinced by his agent [[Ronan O'Rahilly]] that the secret agent would be archaic in the liberated 1970s and left the series in 1969.<ref name="documentary"/> Lazenby's voice was dubbed over with [[George Baker (actor)|George Baker]]'s<ref>{{cite web|author=Copyright 1998-2010 |url=http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/movies/ohmss_reviews.php3?t=ohmss&s=ohmss |title=Information on '&#39;Her Majesty's Secret Service'&#39; at |publisher=Mi6.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2010-10-12}}</ref> in scenes in which Bond impersonated Sir Hilary Bray (Baker's character), something not traditionally done with a leading actor whose original language is English. According to an interview, his difficulties stemmed from director [[Peter R. Hunt]]'s refusal to speak directly with him, and brusqueness in asking Lazenby's friends to clear the set before filming.<ref>Interview in ''Bondage'', magazine of the James Bond 007 Fan Club</ref>
After 21-year-old actor [[Timothy Dalton]] declined the role, believing himself too young for the role,<ref>{{cite video|date=|title=Inside The Living Daylights|medium=DVD|publisher=MGM Home Entertainment|location=|accessdate=|time=|id=|quote=}}</ref> producer [[Albert R. Broccoli]] chose Lazenby after seeing him in a commercial.<ref name="documentary">{{cite video|title=Inside On Her Majesty's Secret Service|medium=DVD|location=''OHMSS'' Ultimate Edition DVD|publisher =MGM Home Entertainment Inc.|date=2000}}</ref> Lazenby dressed the part by sporting several sartorial Bond elements such as a [[Rolex]] Submariner wristwatch and a [[Savile Row]] suit (ordered, but uncollected, by Connery).<ref name="Andere Tijden">[http://geschiedenis.vpro.nl/programmas/2899536/afleveringen/32270599/ De 'vergeten' 007]. Andere Tijden, [[VPRO]], [[Nederland 2]] 20:25–21:25.</ref> Broccoli offered him an audition. The position was consolidated when Lazenby accidentally punched a [[professional wrestler]], who was acting as [[stunt coordinator]], in the face, impressing Broccoli with his ability to display aggression. Lazenby was thus offered a contract for seven movies; however he was convinced by his agent [[Ronan O'Rahilly]] 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.<ref name="documentary"/>
During the production of the film, Lazenby's voice was dubbed over with [[George Baker (actor)|George Baker]]'s<ref>{{cite web|author=Copyright 1998-2010 |url=http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/movies/ohmss_reviews.php3?t=ohmss&s=ohmss |title=Information on '&#39;Her Majesty's Secret Service'&#39; at |publisher=Mi6.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2010-10-12}}</ref> in scenes in which Bond impersonated Sir Hilary Bray (Baker's character), something not traditionally done with a leading actor whose original language is English. According to an interview, Lazenby experienced difficulties on the set stemming from director [[Peter R. Hunt]]'s refusal to speak directly with him, and Hunt's brusqueness in asking Lazenby's friends to clear the set before filming.<ref>Interview in ''Bondage'', magazine of the James Bond 007 Fan Club</ref>


At the time of the release of ''On Her Majesty's Secret Service'' (''OHMSS''), Lazenby's performance received mixed reviews. Some felt that whilst he was physically convincing, some of his costumes were inappropriate ("too loud" according to some) and that he delivered his lines poorly.<ref>Lipp 159</ref> Others however disagree and retrospectively as time has gone by, his performance is viewed far more favourably. In the 1998 book 'The Essential James Bond', Lee Pfeiffer & Dave Worrell write: "Although ''OHMSS'' was routinely dismissed by critics who cited Lazenby as a brave but disappointing successor to Connery, the intervening years have been notably kinder to both the film and its star. Indeed, due in no small part to Peter Hunt's inspired direction, ''OHMSS'' generally ranks among the top films with fans. Likewise, Lazenby has emerged as a very popular contributor to the series and has enjoyed large enthusiastic audiences during his appearances at Bond related events. In summary, ''OHMSS'' is a brilliant thriller in its own right and justifiably ranks amongst the best Bond films ever made".
At the time of the release of ''On Her Majesty's Secret Service'' (''OHMSS''), Lazenby's performance received mixed reviews. Some felt that whilst he was physically convincing, some of his costumes were inappropriate ("too loud" according to some) and that he delivered his lines poorly.<ref>Lipp 159</ref> Others however disagree and retrospectively as time has gone by, his performance is viewed far more favourably. In the 1998 book 'The Essential James Bond', Lee Pfeiffer & Dave Worrell write: "Although ''OHMSS'' was routinely dismissed by critics who cited Lazenby as a brave but disappointing successor to Connery, the intervening years have been notably kinder to both the film and its star. Indeed, due in no small part to Peter Hunt's inspired direction, ''OHMSS'' generally ranks among the top films with fans. Likewise, Lazenby has emerged as a very popular contributor to the series and has enjoyed large enthusiastic audiences during his appearances at Bond related events. In summary, ''OHMSS'' is a brilliant thriller in its own right and justifiably ranks amongst the best Bond films ever made".

Revision as of 00:46, 11 November 2010

George Lazenby
Lazenby at the November 2008 Big Apple Con in Manhattan
Born
George Robert Lazenby

(1939-09-05) 5 September 1939 (age 85)
Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia
OccupationActor
Years active1965–2003
Spouse(s)Christina Gannett (1971–1995)
Pam Shriver (2002–2008)

George Robert Lazenby (Template:Pron-en; born 5 September 1939[1]) is an Australian actor and former model, best known for portraying James Bond in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Early life

Lazenby was born in Goulburn, New South Wales,[2] at Ovada Private Hospital, to railway worker George Edward Lazenby and Sheila Joan Lazenby (nee Bodel), who worked at Fosseys. He went to Bourke Street School in his primary years, and Goulburn High until either 1953 or 1954. The young Lazenby was fond of riding bikies, guns and knives, and is by described those who went to school with him as "a bit of a larrikin." His sister, Barbara, was an accomplished dancer. When he was about 14 or 15 he moved with his family from Goulburn to Queanbeyan, where he worked as a car salesman, mechanic and model before moving to England.[3][4]

Career

James Bond (1969)

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, Espionage in Tangiers.[5] Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene, the strength of his interviews, fight skills, and audition footage.[6] After this role Lazenby began to study drama at Durham University's College of the Venerable Bede.[7]

Although he had previously worked in television advertising and an Italian spy themed B-movie, Lazenby's first serious acting role was as James Bond in the film On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). Lazenby is the second actor to portray the British secret agent in a Bond feature film after Sean Connery, who had become a cultural icon in the role, quit the role in 1967.

After 21-year-old actor Timothy Dalton declined the role, believing himself too young for the role,[8] producer Albert R. Broccoli chose Lazenby after seeing him in a commercial.[9] Lazenby dressed the part by sporting several sartorial Bond elements such as a Rolex Submariner wristwatch and a Savile Row suit (ordered, but uncollected, by Connery).[10] Broccoli offered him an audition. The position was consolidated when Lazenby accidentally punched a professional wrestler, who was acting as stunt coordinator, in the face, impressing Broccoli with his ability to display aggression. Lazenby was thus offered a contract for seven movies; however he was convinced by his agent Ronan O'Rahilly 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.[9]

During the production of the film, Lazenby's voice was dubbed over with George Baker's[11] in scenes in which Bond impersonated Sir Hilary Bray (Baker's character), something not traditionally done with a leading actor whose original language is English. According to an interview, Lazenby experienced difficulties on the set stemming from director Peter R. Hunt's refusal to speak directly with him, and Hunt's brusqueness in asking Lazenby's friends to clear the set before filming.[12]

At the time of the release of On Her Majesty's Secret Service (OHMSS), Lazenby's performance received mixed reviews. Some felt that whilst he was physically convincing, some of his costumes were inappropriate ("too loud" according to some) and that he delivered his lines poorly.[13] Others however disagree and retrospectively as time has gone by, his performance is viewed far more favourably. In the 1998 book 'The Essential James Bond', Lee Pfeiffer & Dave Worrell write: "Although OHMSS was routinely dismissed by critics who cited Lazenby as a brave but disappointing successor to Connery, the intervening years have been notably kinder to both the film and its star. Indeed, due in no small part to Peter Hunt's inspired direction, OHMSS generally ranks among the top films with fans. Likewise, Lazenby has emerged as a very popular contributor to the series and has enjoyed large enthusiastic audiences during his appearances at Bond related events. In summary, OHMSS is a brilliant thriller in its own right and justifiably ranks amongst the best Bond films ever made".

In Roger Moore's commentary for a 2007 DVD release of The Man with the Golden Gun, he referenced George Lazenby as follows : "I have a great deal of e-mail contact with George Lazenby; he's sort of on the joke circuit ... that we simply send jokes to each other. OHMSS - very well made film - Peter Hunt - excellent, excellent, excellent fight stuff, excellent snow effects ... but I think the end result for George was that it was one of the better Bonds".

OHMSS also featured the only breaking of the "fourth wall" (the actor breaking the boundary between the setting and its audience) in the official EON-produced Bond series. (This also occurs in the unofficial film Never Say Never Again (1983) when Sean Connery winks to the audience.) In the opening beach scene, just prior to introductory credits rolling, Lazenby cracks, in reference to Connery's Bond, "This never happened to the other fellow".[14]

Lazenby has portrayed James Bond several times over the years in numerous parodies and unofficial 007 roles, most notably the 1983 TV movie The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. and an episode of The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents, entitled "Diamonds Aren't Forever".

Other work

Lazenby has portrayed The Marlboro Man in cigarette advertising.

Despite starring in On Her Majesty's Secret Service and 1977's The Kentucky Fried Movie (the combined gross earnings of which exceeded $100 million worldwide in the 1970s, then the standard establishing an actor as a box office success), Lazenby's acting career did not flourish.

In the 1970s, Lazenby was set to work in Hong Kong with Bruce Lee. A planned luncheon meeting with Lee and Raymond Chow to discuss a movie project for the Golden Harvest film Game of Death collapsed after Lee's sudden death, although Lazenby would still go on to make three of the four films he signed to do with Lee in Hong Kong, The Shrine of Ultimate Bliss (1974), The Man from Hong Kong (1975) (also known as The Dragon Files), and A Queen's Ransom (1976). Lazenby was only featured with archive footage when Game of Death was finally released in 1978, after a five-year delay caused by Lee's death while it was still in production.

Lazenby also made a guest appearance on the popular TV series Superboy, playing Jor-El, Superboy's biological father, during the show's second season in 1990. He appeared with Sylvia Kristel in several new Emmanuelle films in the 1990s.

Influence on pop culture

Lazenby's singular portrayal of the iconic Bond character, and his lack of standing as a favourite in the series has resulted in his name being used as a metaphor for forgettable, non-iconic acting efforts in other entertainment franchises. Referring to the Batman film series, Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle said "George Clooney is the big zero of the film, and should go down in history as the George Lazenby of the series."[15] Actor Paul McGann has described himself with good humour as "the George Lazenby of Doctor Who" because, although he has continued in the role of the Eighth Doctor in other media, he made only one appearance on TV as the Time Lord. In a 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".[episode needed] At one point in Rob Zombie's animated satire comedy The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, for example, the character Otto responds "It was a mistake, like casting George Lazenby as 007!"

Sondre Lerche released a song "Like Lazenby" on the 2009 CD Heartbeat Radio.

Personal life

In August 2008, it was reported that Lazenby's wife, former tennis player Pam Shriver, had filed for divorce from Lazenby. Documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court cite "irreconcilable differences" for the end of the couple's six-year marriage. The couple has three children, including twins born in 2005.[16]

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ George Lazenby biography at New York Times
  2. ^ Australian National Portrait Gallery. "Australians in Hollywood". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
  3. ^ Gordon, Chris. "Lazenby’s Goulburn bond" Goulburn Post, November 3, 2010
  4. ^ Kimberly Last (1939-09-05). "George Lazenby". Klast.net. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
  5. ^ ""Happy 69th Birthday, George Lazenby!" commanderbond.net; September 5, 2008". Commanderbond.net. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  6. ^ "George Lazenby". Mi6.co.uk. 1939-09-05. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
  7. ^ Durham Rooms, Accessed October 31, 2010.
  8. ^ Inside The Living Daylights (DVD). MGM Home Entertainment.
  9. ^ a b Inside On Her Majesty's Secret Service (DVD). OHMSS Ultimate Edition DVD: MGM Home Entertainment Inc. 2000.
  10. ^ De 'vergeten' 007. Andere Tijden, VPRO, Nederland 2 20:25–21:25.
  11. ^ Copyright 1998-2010. "Information on ''Her Majesty's Secret Service'' at". Mi6.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Interview in Bondage, magazine of the James Bond 007 Fan Club
  13. ^ Lipp 159
  14. ^ Lipp 161
  15. ^ Mick LaSalle (1997-06-20). "Batman Chills Out". San Francisco Chronicle. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  16. ^ "Pam Shriver files for divorce from former Bond George Lazenby" The Australian August 8, 2008

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