Post by Alec 006 on Sept 5, 2009 15:07:43 GMT -5
The second 007, George Lazenby, who had the daunting task of replacing Sir Sean Connery in the late 60's is celebrating his 70th Birthday today, September 5th, 2009.
George Robert Lazenby was born on September 5, 1939 in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia. After serving in the Australian Army, he turned to being a car salesman for a living, before cashing in on his matinee-idol looks to become a top male model in London, where he had arrived in 1964 (the very same year that 11-year old Pierce Brosnan also arrived there and that Ian Fleming died, coincidentally).
The search for a new actor to portray James Bond had begun in 1968, after Sean Connery publicly announced during the filming of "You Only Live Twice" that he was finished with the role.
The Bond producers, "Cubby" Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, tested
hundreds of actors but became frustrated finally admitting they wanted "another Sean Connery".
George Lazenby's publicist and friend Maggie Abbott, suggested that he test for this "role they can't seem to fill." At the time, Lazenby was one of the highest paid models in Europe, but had no acting experience save for TV commercials, doing commercials for Big Fry Chocolates.
Lazenby went all out to win the Bond producers over, including contacting Sean Connery's tailor, Antony Sinclair. Sinclair, sold Lazenby one of Connery's suits that never got picked up. Lazenby then went and saw Connery's hairstylist, Curt the barber at the Dorchester Hotel. George told Curt: "Give me a haircut just like Sean Connery."
George Lazenby certainly impressed producer Harry Saltzman with his 'Bond look' when he burst into his office, but quickly made up an acting resume off the top of his head. "I told them I had done films in Russia, Germany, and God knows where...I had to think of some things they couldn't check up on." recalls Lazenby.
Lazenby finally came clean with "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" director Peter Hunt, admitting : "Peter, I'm not an actor. I just made up alot of B.S. When you test me, you're going to find out."
Hunt replied: "What do you mean? You just fooled two of the most ruthless men I've known! You've GOT to be an actor. Don't worry - you stick to your story, and I'll make you the next James Bond."
Lazenby was competing against John Richardson, Anthony Rogers, Robert Campbell and Hans de Vries, but won the role based on a screen-test fight scene. In the scene, George was fighting a Russian wrestler, and while meaning to "pull his punch" Lazenby accidentally broke Yuri Borienko's nose. At that moment, at 29 years old, George Lazenby officially became the new James Bond 007.
There was apparently much conflict on the set of 'OHMSS', with Lazenby having strained relationships with director Peter Hunt and Bond Girl and former 'Avengers' star Diana Rigg, as well as the producers. Lazenby very much regrets his behavior, and says he didn't handle all the instant fame well at all.
Despite Lazenby's sometimes unprofessional conduct, both 'Cubby' Broccoli and Harry Saltzman stood behind their new 007, and offered him a huge contract to star in seven more Bond films.
George Lazenby, to everyone's surprise, turned them down and quit the role all together. Lazenby today admits he was acting on the bad advice of his then adviser Roan O'Reilly. O'Reilly told Lazenby that James Bond was a fad and that people were more into 'Easy Rider' and the hippie movement. He told Lazenby he would be a big star on his own and didn't need James Bond.
Connery was lured back for the next Bond film, "Diamonds Are Forever", and Lazenby's acting career floundered. Ironically, Lazenby's Bond film is considered by many fans to be one of the best in the series.
During the early 1970s, Lazenby worked in Hong Kong, and was going to make a film with Bruce Lee right before Lee's untimely death.
Lazenby eventually returned to acting in the 80's and 90's. He resides on his 600 acre ranch in Los Angeles. He enjoys motorcycle racing, mountain biking, golfing....and will forever be known as "George Lazenby: International Bond Of Mystery".
George Robert Lazenby was born on September 5, 1939 in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia. After serving in the Australian Army, he turned to being a car salesman for a living, before cashing in on his matinee-idol looks to become a top male model in London, where he had arrived in 1964 (the very same year that 11-year old Pierce Brosnan also arrived there and that Ian Fleming died, coincidentally).
The search for a new actor to portray James Bond had begun in 1968, after Sean Connery publicly announced during the filming of "You Only Live Twice" that he was finished with the role.
The Bond producers, "Cubby" Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, tested
hundreds of actors but became frustrated finally admitting they wanted "another Sean Connery".
George Lazenby's publicist and friend Maggie Abbott, suggested that he test for this "role they can't seem to fill." At the time, Lazenby was one of the highest paid models in Europe, but had no acting experience save for TV commercials, doing commercials for Big Fry Chocolates.
Lazenby went all out to win the Bond producers over, including contacting Sean Connery's tailor, Antony Sinclair. Sinclair, sold Lazenby one of Connery's suits that never got picked up. Lazenby then went and saw Connery's hairstylist, Curt the barber at the Dorchester Hotel. George told Curt: "Give me a haircut just like Sean Connery."
George Lazenby certainly impressed producer Harry Saltzman with his 'Bond look' when he burst into his office, but quickly made up an acting resume off the top of his head. "I told them I had done films in Russia, Germany, and God knows where...I had to think of some things they couldn't check up on." recalls Lazenby.
Lazenby finally came clean with "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" director Peter Hunt, admitting : "Peter, I'm not an actor. I just made up alot of B.S. When you test me, you're going to find out."
Hunt replied: "What do you mean? You just fooled two of the most ruthless men I've known! You've GOT to be an actor. Don't worry - you stick to your story, and I'll make you the next James Bond."
Lazenby was competing against John Richardson, Anthony Rogers, Robert Campbell and Hans de Vries, but won the role based on a screen-test fight scene. In the scene, George was fighting a Russian wrestler, and while meaning to "pull his punch" Lazenby accidentally broke Yuri Borienko's nose. At that moment, at 29 years old, George Lazenby officially became the new James Bond 007.
There was apparently much conflict on the set of 'OHMSS', with Lazenby having strained relationships with director Peter Hunt and Bond Girl and former 'Avengers' star Diana Rigg, as well as the producers. Lazenby very much regrets his behavior, and says he didn't handle all the instant fame well at all.
Despite Lazenby's sometimes unprofessional conduct, both 'Cubby' Broccoli and Harry Saltzman stood behind their new 007, and offered him a huge contract to star in seven more Bond films.
George Lazenby, to everyone's surprise, turned them down and quit the role all together. Lazenby today admits he was acting on the bad advice of his then adviser Roan O'Reilly. O'Reilly told Lazenby that James Bond was a fad and that people were more into 'Easy Rider' and the hippie movement. He told Lazenby he would be a big star on his own and didn't need James Bond.
Connery was lured back for the next Bond film, "Diamonds Are Forever", and Lazenby's acting career floundered. Ironically, Lazenby's Bond film is considered by many fans to be one of the best in the series.
During the early 1970s, Lazenby worked in Hong Kong, and was going to make a film with Bruce Lee right before Lee's untimely death.
Lazenby eventually returned to acting in the 80's and 90's. He resides on his 600 acre ranch in Los Angeles. He enjoys motorcycle racing, mountain biking, golfing....and will forever be known as "George Lazenby: International Bond Of Mystery".
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