George Lazenby Biography 2024 Australian actor George Robert Lazenby (/ˈleɪzənbi/; born 5 September 1939) is now retired. In the Eon Productions film series, he was the second actor to play the fictitious British secret agent James Bond, which he did in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). Lazenby’s Bond stint is the shortest of all the actors in the franchise because he only starred in one movie. When Lazenby was chosen to take over for Sean Connery as the original James Bond actor, he had only appeared in advertisements during his modeling career. Instead of going back to work on more Bond movies, he pursued parts in Who Saw Her Die? (1972), Universal Soldier (1971), The Shrine of Ultimate Bliss (1974), The Man from Hong Kong (1975), and The Kentucky.
George Lazenby Biography 2024
George Edward Lazenby and Sheila Joan (Bodel) Lazenby welcomed George Robert Lazenby into the world on September 5, 1939, in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. He left the Australian Army in 1964 and relocated to London, England. He worked in London, England, as a male model, prestige car salesman, auto technician, and used car dealer before going into acting. Although Lazenby’s only acting credit prior to 1968 came from advertisements, and his only feature film role was a cameo in an Italian-produced Bond parody from 1965, he was nevertheless cast as “James Bond” in 1968. A combat scene from a screen test, together with the quality of his interviews, fighting prowess, and audition tape, helped Lazenby land the part. An accidental meeting in a hair salon in London with Albert R. Broccoli, producer of the Bond series.
George Lazenby Biography 2024 Details
| Born | George Robert Lazenby 5 September 1939 (age 84) Goulburn , New South Wales, Australia |
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| Occupation | Actor |
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| Years active | 1963–2024 |
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| Known for | James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service |
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| Spouses | Chrissie Townson (m. 1973; div. 1995) Pam Shriver (m. 2002; div. 2011)
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| Children | 6 (1 deceased) |
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| Category | Biography |
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Early life
George Edward Lazenby, a railway worker, and Sheila Joan Lazenby (née Bodel), a retail worker for Fosseys, welcomed George Robert Lazenby into the world on September 5, 1939, at Ovada Private Hospital in Goulburn, New South Wales. From his elementary school years until 1954, he attended Goulburn Public School and Goulburn High School. Barbara, his sister, was a skilled dancer. He was hospitalized for eighteen months as a child following a procedure that left him with only half of a kidney. Lazenby’s family relocated from Goulburn to Queanbeyan, where his father had a store, when he was roughly 14 years old. After serving in the Australian Army, he went on to work as a mechanic and car salesperson.
Career
Lazenby had come to London to follow a woman he loved, and had first enlisted in the Australian Army before going on to work as a mechanic and used car salesman there. A talent scout saw him while he was selling automobiles and encouraged him to pursue modeling. After starring in a Fry’s chocolate bar commercial, he rose to fame and won the 1966 Top Model of the Year award. Lazenby met producer Albert R. Broccoli in 1968 at the same barbershop where they were getting their hair cut. After seeing Lazenby’s Fry commercial, he decided that Lazenby would make a fantastic James Bond.
As James Bond, Sean Connery came before George Lazenby. The first actor to play James Bond in an official EON Productions picture was Connery. Beginning with “Dr. No” in 1962, Connery was the first actor to play James Bond in the official EON Productions film series. He starred in five more Bond movies after that. George Lazenby was chosen to play James Bond for the single movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969) following Sean Connery’s exit from the role. After Lazenby’s solo performance, Connery reprised the part for “Diamonds Are Forever” (1971) before Roger Moore took over.
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Personal Life
In 1973, Lazenby tied the knot with Chrissie Townson, his girlfriend of three years. The two kids they had were Zachary and Melanie. Melanie went on to work in New York as a real estate broker. When Zachary was eleven years old, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He died at the age of nineteen. Later on, Lazenby and Townson parted ways. Lazenby wed former tennis star Pam Shriver in 2002. In 2005, the couple gave birth to three children, including twins. When their marriage lasted six years, they filed for divorce. Lazenby resides in Brentwood, California’s Los Angeles. Because of his one-shot Bond cameo, he has been referenced widely in popular culture, and his name is occasionally used to allude to a variety of non-iconic actor parts in franchises.
Entry into Modeling
Before he became an actor, Lazenby found success as a model. Moving to London in the early 1960s, he quickly became one of the highest-paid models of the time. His rugged good looks landed him lucrative contracts, including a notable advertisement for Big Fry Chocolate, earning him approximately $50,000 annually.
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Becoming James Bond
When Lazenby was chosen to play James Bond in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969), it was his big break. He had never performed before, but his charisma and physicality won the producers over, and he was cast for the part. His then-staggering $1 million salary for this role greatly increased his net worth.
Career Challenges and Decisions
Despite the success of his Bond film, Lazenby made the controversial decision to step away from the role. Influenced by his manager, Ronan O’Rahilly, and the changing cultural landscape, he believed that the Bond franchise would become outdated. This decision cost him potentially lucrative future earnings, as subsequent Bond actors have commanded multi-million-dollar contracts.
Post-Bond Career
Finding meaningful roles after quitting Bond proved to be difficult for Lazenby. He starred in a number of low-budget motion pictures and television shows, such as “The Man from Hong Kong” (1975) and “Universal Soldier” (1971). Even though he didn’t make much money from these gigs, they kept him in the spotlight.
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Business Ventures and Investments
Lazenby made smart financial decisions by investing in real estate and other ventures. By the late 1970s, he had accumulated a portfolio of properties in Australia and the United States, valued at approximately $3 million. These investments provided a steady income stream, contributing significantly to his net worth.
Financial Comeback
The 2000s saw a resurgence in Lazenby’s career. He appeared in various documentaries and retrospectives about the James Bond franchise, earning him renewed recognition and financial gains. These appearances, combined with his ongoing real estate investments, helped rebuild his net worth.
Recent Projects
In recent years, Lazenby has continued to work sporadically in television and film. Notable appearances include cameos in the “Hawaii Five-0” reboot and voice work in the animated series “Archer.” These projects, while not blockbuster hits, have added to his income.
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Industry Expert Opinions
Financial experts agree that Lazenby’s decision to invest in real estate was pivotal. As real estate analyst John Thompson noted, “Lazenby’s diversified portfolio has been a key factor in maintaining and growing his net worth over the decades.”
Challenges and Resilience
Lazenby’s career has not been without its challenges. His initial decision to leave the Bond franchise could have derailed his career permanently. However, his resilience and ability to adapt have been crucial in maintaining his financial stability.
Endorsements and Public Appearances
In addition to acting, Lazenby has earned income through endorsements and public appearances. He has been a regular at comic conventions and James Bond-themed events, where he commands fees upwards of $50,000 per appearance.
Investments and Assets
Lazenby has a wide range of investments in his portfolio, which includes bonds, equities, and real estate. The estimated value of his properties, which are mostly in Australia and California, is $10 million. To strengthen his finances even more, he has made investments in tech businesses.
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Legacy and Impact
There is no denying George Lazenby’s influence on popular culture and the James Bond film series. Despite his limited appearances in Bond films, his interpretation of the legendary spy is nonetheless unforgettable. His financial success shows how smart financial decisions combined with flexibility may result in long-term wealth.
Net Worth Analysis 2024
Analyzing Lazenby’s net worth over the past few years provides insight into his financial trajectory:
- 2020: $15 Million
- 2021: $16 Million
- 2022: $17 Million
- 2023: $18.5 Million
- 2024: $20 Million
George Lazenby Images
