Australian actor George Lazenby, renowned for his portrayal of James Bond in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” has officially announced his retirement from acting. In a heartfelt message shared on the social media platform X, Lazenby expressed his decision to step away from the limelight, according to Variety.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision but it’s time to announce my retirement from work. Therefore, I won’t be doing any more acting or making public appearances, doing any more interviews or signing any more autographs as of today,” Lazenby stated.
Lazenby also took a moment to thank his fans and supporters who have shown him immense love throughout his career. “I would like to thank my manager and friend, Anders Frejdh, for helping me since 2013 – the best representative I ever had. I can now concentrate on spending more time with my family. My sincere gratitude to everyone out there for your love and support over the years. It has meant a lot to me. George xx,” he added.
Lazenby’s tenure as James Bond was the shortest, as he starred in only one film as the iconic secret agent. Despite this, his performance left a lasting impact on fans and the franchise. His unique journey from being an auto mechanic to a male model and then the second actor to take on the Bond role following Sean Connery was highlighted in the 2017 Hulu docudrama “Becoming Bond,” directed by Josh Greenbaum.
Apart from his famous role as Bond, Lazenby appeared in other notable projects, including “The Man from Hong Kong” (1975) and “Never Too Young to Die” (1986).
As George Lazenby retires, he leaves behind a legacy marked by his brief yet memorable stint as one of the most iconic characters in film history, and his fans will undoubtedly cherish his contributions to cinema.
