He made a name for himself playing the infamous character James Bond. Now he’s walking away from show business for good.
George Lazenby revealed he’s retiring, telling fans he will no longer make public appearances or sign autographs.
Lazenby, the second actor to portray James Bond in the film franchise, announced his decision Thursday.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision but it’s time to announce my retirement from work,” Lazenby, 84, shared. “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.”
(1/3) 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. It’s been a fun ride but getting older is… pic.twitter.com/OpapxbH22e
— George Lazenby (@lazenbyofficial) July 24, 2024
“It’s been a fun ride but getting older is no fun,” he explained. “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.”
Lazenby took over the Bond role from Sean Connery for one Bond movie, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” in 1969.
Ironically, after making his Bond debut, Lazenby could have been “the” James Bond as he was offered a seven-film contract but decided to turn it down following the advice of his agent.
Instead he went on to star in a few Bond parody films, including “The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.”
In addition to Lazenby, other actors to play James Bond include the aforementioned Connery (perhaps the most famous to play Bond), Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and most recently Daniel Craig.