George Lazenby - Biography

Last Editor: KITABOO702				George Lazenby Biography -   Name : George Lazenby Date of Birth : 5 September 1939 Place of Birth : Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia Height : 6' 2½'' Nationality : Australian Profession : Actor Claim to Fame : As James Bond 007 in 1968. Sometimes Called : George Lazenbi G. Lazenby

George Lazenby Trivia -

Was the highest paid male model in Europe prior to playing James Bond. Except for TV commercials, he had no previous acting experience when he was cast as James Bond. One of his children, Zachary, died of brain cancer. Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli, remarked that Lazenby could have been the best Bond had he not quit after just one film. He was a martial arts instructor in the Australian army, and holds more than one black belt in the martial arts. He studied martial arts under Bruce Lee himself. He was set to co-star in the biggest budgeted action/martial arts film of all time in 1973, along with Bruce Lee. However, Lee died two weeks before the film was to begin shooting. (The film, originally titled "Shrine of Ultimate Bliss," was eventually made, but on a considerably smaller budget, and was given a limited theatrical release, excluding the U.S.) Broke a stuntman's nose during a Bond fight screen test, and it was this physical strength that finalized his selection as Bond. Was considered by producer Kevin McClory to play James Bond in Sean Connery announced he wanted the role. He was offered a seven movie deal by the Bond producers, but quit the role because he felt that the tuxedo clad Bond would die out in the new hippie culture that had permeated society in the late 60s and early 70s. Was the number one male fashion model in the world from 1964 to 1968. By 1968, he had become the highest paid male model in European modeling history. His agent, Maggie Smith, told him that he should apply for Bond, since in her opinion, his arrogance would surely win him the role. His publicist, Roland O'Reilly, announced that Lazenby would not make a second Bond film. After this he was released out of his Bond contract. Lazenby himself, stated afterward that he never told his publicist he was quitting Bond. Was a car salesman in Canberra, Australia after leaving school. Is an avid horseman and owns 12 horses which he keeps at his 100 acre ranch, 80 miles out of Los Angeles. Is an accomplished skier and in fact had won two skiing contests in Australia before becoming James Bond. Competes on the senior circuit in off-road dirt bike racing, and in stock car racing. George has won several celebrity stock car races and dirt-bike races, as well as amateur and professional races in both. Lazenby has ridden his various motorcycles across the United States, on three different occasions. Lazenby's favorite hobbie is playing golf. He plays it at least 5 or 6 times a week. Lived in Keith Moon's famous London Waterhouse complete with Hydro Hovercraft that came right into the living room through the front door, for a period of 6 months in the late 60s. Has a daughter named Melanie from his first marriage, and another daughter named Jennifer from a previous relationship. He was the youngest actor to play James Bond, being 30 when On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) was released. Sean Connery was 32 when he played Bond for the first time, in Dr. No (1962). John Cleese wanted him to play the part of Jesus in the Monty Python movie, Life of Brian (1979). Cleese said in his opinion it would be absolutely hilarious to have Lazenby portray Christ, and he wanted the tag line of the film to be "George Lazenby IS Jesus Christ." But when the film's producers contacted his agent they were informed that he was overseas working on another film project and was unavailable. Kenneth Colley was then cast as Jesus. Son: George Samuel Lazenby (b. 12 July 2004) with Pam Shriver. He says that his favorite Bond film is Goldfinger (1964). Lakers star Kobe Bryant is George's neighbor at one of George's Southern California homes. He owns mansions in Hawaii, Brentwood, California, Australia, and a 600 acre estate/ranch in Southern Caifornia. He is a big fan of Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt. Served as a sergeant in the Australian Special Forces. He holds the unique distinction of having been both The Marlboro Man and James Bond, as he played 007 in one film and was also the European Marlboro Man. He was the headlining star of the prime time soap opera "Rituals" (1984). This was during the time when soap operas were airing in prime time on the major US networks and receiving huge ratings. Rituals was a "Desperate Housewives" (2004) type of show. Lazenby winning the major network prime time show's lead role was a major breakthrough in his Hollywwod career and was considered to be his "comeback gig". Many industry experts expected this would bring him to A status in Hollywood, after he had been majorly popular on "General Hospital" (1963) in 1982 when it was airing in prime time and receiving huge ratings. However, "Rituals" received poor ratings and was cancelled after just one season by ABC. Although the show did run in syndication and in several other countries after that, it was cancelled shortly after ABC pulled it.

George Lazenby Detailed Biography -

George Lazenby was born on September 5th, 1939, in Australia. George Lazenby moved to London, England in 1964, after serving in the Australian Army. Before becoming an actor, George Lazenby worked as an auto mechanic, used car salesman, prestige car salesman, and as a male model, in London, England. In 1968, George 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. George 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 'Cubby Broccoli' in a hair salon in 1966, in London, had given George Lazenby his first shot at getting the role. Broccoli had made a mental note to remember George 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, and an Aston Martin DB5 car, the Bond car at the time. George 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, George Lazenby has acted in TV movies, commercials, various recurring roles in TV series, the film series Emmanuel, several Bond movie spoofs, TV guest appearances. George Lazenby also provided voice for several animated movies and series, and several Hong Kong action films, using his martial arts expertise.