In 1968, George Lazenby, now 85, was cast as James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, taking over a role made famous by Sean Connery. Unfortunately, Lazenby struggled to fit into the iconic character, partly due to poor advice he received. As his fame dwindled, he shifted focus to family life, ultimately facing tragedy with the loss of his son to a malignant brain tumor in 1994.
The James Bond franchise began in 1963 with Dr. No and has since become a cultural phenomenon, featuring numerous films and actors over the decades. Sean Connery, who portrayed Bond in five films between 1962 and 1967, grew weary of the role. In a 1965 interview with Playboy, he expressed his disinterest, stating he was “sick of this Bond thing”, and found the constant association with the character monotonous.
When Connery stepped away, producers faced the daunting task of finding a successor. Lazenby, then a 29-year-old unknown actor from Australia, caught their attention after appearing in commercials for Fry’s chocolate spread. His persistence and charm helped him land the coveted role. Lazenby even spent his last savings on a tailored suit that had originally belonged to Connery.
Upon auditioning, he boldly introduced himself by saying: “I heard you’re looking for James Bond”, and was subsequently offered the part. However, upon the release of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, reviews were mixed, and comparisons to Connery overshadowed Lazenby’s performance. Notably, critic Gene Siskel remarked that Lazenby lacked the suave confidence of his predecessor.
Despite the criticism, Lazenby was presented with a $1 million contract for six more films, but his manager advised against it, suggesting he pursue other opportunities. This decision led to Lazenby being “blacklisted” in Hollywood, with a reputation for being difficult to work with.
After a brief career in film and television, Lazenby shifted to a more private life. He married Christina Gannet in 1971, and they had two children. Tragically, their son Zachary battled a brain tumor for eight years before passing away at 19, leaving Lazenby “devastated”. Gannet shared on social media that losing Zachary was a profound sorrow for them both.
Following his son’s death, Lazenby divorced Gannet and later married Olympic tennis champion Pam Shriver, with whom he has three children. Now, Lazenby reflects on his life and cherishes his role as a father, stating: “The real successes in my life are my children”. Remember Lazenby’s portrayal of Bond? Share your thoughts on his legacy!
Woman finds a friendly dog sitting on her porch and helps him find a new home
Amy Haden had a surprise one morning when her daughter alerted her to a dog on their back porch. Initially, Amy didn’t think much of it, assuming it was one of their family’s dogs. However, she soon realized it was a new visitor, comfortably settled on their patio furniture.
“It’s like he had taken up residence,” Amy recalled, noting how the dog had made himself at home on the cushions and showed no signs of leaving.
Despite the dog’s contentment in their company, Amy knew he needed assistance. She took on the responsibility of caring for him and embarked on a mission to reunite him with his family, reaching out to the community and using social media platforms.
Despite efforts to locate his previous owners, including checking for a microchip, the dog remained unclaimed. Amy affectionately named him Walker, with input from TikTok users, and her family continued to provide him with care.
As time passed, it became evident that Amy’s household wasn’t the permanent solution for Walker. Compatibility issues arose with her existing dogs, prompting Amy to seek a forever home better suited for Walker’s needs.
Fortunately, Amy’s persistence paid off when she found an ideal match for Walker—an elderly lady who had been longing for a furry companion.
“She was super sweet,” Amy shared, expressing gratitude that their paths crossed. “She told us that she had been praying for a dog like him and that we were the answer to her prayers.”
Leave a Reply