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!
Actress Rose McGowan’s Controversial Tweet about Oprah Winfrey
Rose McGowan, an actress, recently sparked a contentious discussion on Twitter over media mogul Oprah Winfrey. Her tweet revealed a different side of Oprah, casting doubt on the public’s view of the powerful person and bringing up issues with the way she has used her influence over time. Numerous Americans were drawn to this information, which resulted in a post going viral.
McGowan accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexually abusing her, and in a tweet, McGowan blasted Oprah for her alleged ties to Weinstein. Using the hashtag #lizard, she criticized Oprah for allegedly backing a “sick power structure for personal gain” and even branded her out as “fake”. There wasn’t much opportunity for interpretation with this clear-cut and unambiguous remark.
It’s important to remember, though, that McGowan’s post was made nearly a year after Oprah resigned from her role as executive producer of the Russell Simmons documentary for #MeToo. Oprah clarified that she didn’t think she and the filmmakers were still on the same creative page and that more work needed to be done to fully depict the stories of the victims. Oprah stressed her steadfast conviction in and support for the women who came forward as victims in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Oprah did star in a film that was distributed by Weinstein’s media business, so it is true that she had prior relationships with him. Oprah admitted her previous friendship with Weinstein when the charges against him surfaced, but she insisted she was unaware of his predatory behavior toward women. If she had known, she claimed, she would have spoken out against his reprehensible actions.
Oprah’s relationship with Weinstein serves as a reminder of the difficulties in keeping personal and professional interactions separate, as well as the complexity of the entertainment industry. It’s critical to understand that people can be victims themselves as well as supporters of victims.
Rose McGowan has attacked Oprah outspokenly, but she has also become entangled in the controversy surrounding the California Gavin Newsom election recall. Notwithstanding these events, McGowan’s tweet is significant because it emphasizes how critical it is to report abuse and hold people accountable, regardless of their standing in society or level of influence. It serves as a reminder of the strength that comes from speaking one’s truth and advancing the social justice dialogue.
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