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!
Wоmаn triеs tо tаkе hеr sеаt оn а рlаnе – but shе rеfusеs, аnd whаt hарреns nехt hаs thе intеrnеt is dividеd
A woman’s plane journey turned uncomfortable when she refused to give up her extra paid seat for a fellow passenger’s toddler. The woman, who usually books an extra seat for her comfort due to her size, found herself next to a mother and her 18-month-old child. The mother asked her to squeeze into one seat so her toddler could have the extra one, but the woman declined, explaining she had paid for both seats.
A flight attendant intervened and suggested the mother hold her child in her lap as most young children do. Throughout the flight, the mother made the woman uncomfortable with dirty looks and passive-аggrеssivе remarks.
The woman later sought opinions on Reddit, where people generally sided with her. Many criticized the mother for not buying a seat for her child and assuming someone else would give up theirs. Some empathized with the mother’s desire for a comfortable flight but noted that she should have prioritized buying a seat for her child.
In this debate, opinions vary, but many support the woman who paid for her extra seat, highlighting the importance of respecting each passenger’s choices and reservations.
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