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!
“No Matter What” is a duet by Ronan Keating and Carola, a Swedish superstar.
The Memorable Duet of Ronan Keating and Carola at Allsang på Grensen
An Unforgettable Musical Partnership
A memorable moment occurred in 2018 during the Norwegian music festival Allsang på Grensen when Irish pop star Ronan Keating teamed up with Swedish superstar Carola for a duet that has amassed over 21 million views on YouTube. In 1998, the two gave an incredible performance of “No Matter What,” a worldwide success for Keating’s band Boyzone.
A Combination of Success and Talent
Known for selling over 20 million records as a solo artist and an extra 25 million with Boyzone, Ronan Keating performed alongside Carola, a prominent figure in Swedish music since the 1980s. The audience was in awe of the combination of Carola’s strong voice and Keating’s sultry vocals during the performance.
An Emmy-winning Performance
The night’s high point was the duo’s performance, which included Carola’s beautiful voice enhancing Keating’s sincere delivery. The audience, which included a mother and daughter pair, was enthralled with the musical chemistry on stage and happily danced to the song’s beat.
Carola: A Legendary Scandinavian
There is no denying Carola’s influence on Scandinavian music. Her debut album “Främling” continues to sell more copies in Sweden than any record released by ABBA. Her triumph in the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest with “Fångad av en stormvind” cemented her place in music history; her winning performance has received over 350,000 views on YouTube.
Witness the enchantment of Ronan Keating and Carola’s rendition of “No Matter What” at Allsang på Grensen. To relive this priceless musical moment, watch the video below.
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