George Lazenby, renowned for his portrayal of James Bond in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” has declared his retirement from acting at the age of 84. Following Sean Connery, he became the second official actor to don the iconic 007 role.
In a heartfelt announcement on X, Lazenby expressed the difficulty of his decision, stating, “It hasn’t been an easy decision but it’s time to announce my retirement from work.” Reflecting on aging, he added, “It’s been a fun ride but getting older is no fun.”
Lazenby’s retirement follows a health setback in December 2023 when he suffered a fall resulting in a brain injury. He received medical treatment and has since been recuperating at his residence in Los Angeles, maintaining a low profile in recent years.
The Australian actor’s career was propelled by “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” which marked his debut in a major acting role. Despite choosing to depart from the Bond franchise after the 1969 film, Lazenby faced challenges in securing significant roles in subsequent projects. His filmography includes works like “The Man from Hong Kong” (1975) and “Gettysburg” (1993).
Lazenby acknowledged difficulties in his career, attributing his limited opportunities to being perceived as difficult to work with, which he claimed led to his blacklisting from the industry in his native New South Wales. In his retirement statement, he affirmed, “I won’t be doing any more acting or making public appearances, doing any more interviews or signing any more autographs as of today.”
Looking forward, Lazenby expressed his intention to prioritize family time, stating that he would now “concentrate on spending more time with family.”
The announcement of George Lazenby’s retirement marks the end of an era for fans of the James Bond franchise and the film industry alike, as they reflect on his contributions to cinema and his enduring legacy as Agent 007.
