- published: 30 Apr 2013
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George Robert Lazenby /ˈleɪzənbi/ (born 5 September 1939) is an Australian actor and former model, best known for portraying James Bond in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service when he was 29 years old, being the youngest actor to date to have portrayed the character.
Prior to appearing as Bond, Lazenby was a model and appeared in advertising. After refusing to do another Bond film, Lazenby's career stalled in the 1970s and he moved into business and invested in real estate. He later appeared in several films and television series, including roles spoofing the James Bond character.
Lazenby has been married twice, first to Christina Gannett (1971-1995) (heiress to the Gannett News Service publishing empire) and then from 2002 to 2008 to tennis player Pam Shriver.
Lazenby was born in 1939 in Goulburn, New South Wales, at Ovada Private Hospital, to railway worker George Edward Lazenby and Sheila Joan Lazenby (née Bodel), who worked at Fosseys. He went to Goulburn Public School in his primary years, and Goulburn High until either 1953 or 1954. His sister, Barbara, was an accomplished dancer. When he was young he spent 18 months in hospital after having an operation which left him with only half a kidney.
Keywords: acting, actor, behind-the-scenes, character-name-in-title, filmmaking, filmmaking, interview, making-of, movie-production