It's an institution that has been an integral part of the fabric of British society for more than six decades – so much so, royal attendance at every James Bond world premiere appears to be mandatory.
So, when an Australian man was plucked from obscurity to pick up the mantle of one the most famous secret agents – nay, fictional characters – of all time, eyebrows were very much raised.
The only star to have portrayed 007 in the official Eon Productions franchise for one film, George Lazenby had big shoes to fill.
After all, the Goulbourn-born actor and model was following in Sean Connery's footsteps, with the Scotsman quitting the franchise after You Only Live Twice (1967).
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George Lazenby advertises Fry's Chocolate in the 1960s, with the clip catching the eye of James Bond producers. (YouTube)Portraying 007 in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Lazenby came to producer Albert R. Broccoli and director Peter R. Hunt's attention in a Fry's Chocolate Cream (now manufactured by Cadbury) commercial.
Lazenby showed up to his audition decked out in Bond gear, wearing a Rolex Submariner watch and a Savile Row suit – that had actually been ordered by Connery but uncollected – and had gone to Connery's barber in Dorchester Hotel for a makeover.
In his screen test, Lazenby accidentally punched a professional wrestler who was acting as a stunt coordinator in the face, cementing his casting as Broccoli was impressed with his ability to display aggression.
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Connery was a tough act to follow: although Lazenby was nominated for a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year – Actor for his performance in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, critical opinion was split.
Some thought Lazenby was "humourless," "a little stiff," "annoying and smug" and "dull," but others thought he rose to the occasion.
It was not critique, however, that stifled Lazenby's growth in the franchise. Rather, negotiations dragged on throughout the production of On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Lazenby never signed a contract, despite being offered one for seven films.
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Lazenby as James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). (United Artists)His agent, Ronan O'Rahilly, convinced Lazenby that the secret agent image would be seen as archaic as the liberated 1970s approached, and Lazenby dropped out of the role before the film was even released.
He did portray Bond numerous times over the years in unofficial and parody 007 roles, though by 1973, Lazenby said he was "flat broke" and had become an alcoholic and suffered two nervous breakdowns.
"After the Bond fiasco nobody would touch me", Lazenby told The Los Angeles Times. "Harry Saltzman had always said, 'If you don't do another Bond you'll wind up doing spaghetti westerns in Italy.' But I couldn't even get one of those. My agent couldn't believe it. But the word was out – I was 'difficult.'"
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Lazenby went to Europe to pursue his career, and was actually in Hong Kong to meet with Bruce Lee about Game of Death the day Lee died.
He ventured back Down Under to model as well as star in a few local commercials and an episode of Matlock Police, before going back to Hollywood to take acting lessons in an effort to revitalise his career.
Albert R. Broccoli said casting Lazenby was his "biggest mistake in 16 years" as Lazenby was "arrogant" and "couldn't deal with the success." Broccoli also said that Lazenby didn't get along with fellow castmates and crew members.
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Lazenby and Diana Rigg as happy newlyweds in a scene from the film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. (Getty)Despite Lazenby saying he had only met Connery briefly once, Connery actually came to his defence.
"I have known George for many years and arrogance is not in his character," Connery told The Los Angeles Times in 1978. "Alas I cannot say the same for Cubby [Albert R.] Broccoli."
That same year, Lazenby took out an ad in Variety, offering his acting services.
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"If I could get a TV series or a good movie, I swear I'd do it for nothing", Lazenby told a journalist at the publication.
"People ask me if the Bond movie wasn't worth it if it got me into acting. It's true that it got me in, but it wasn't worth the 10 years it cost me."
Between the years of 1969 and 2003, Lazenby held various roles in many television productions, documentaries and films, though none quite so publicised as Bond.
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Lazenby, pictured here in 2021, has retired from acting. (Getty)In 2014, however, he did make an acting comeback, with his most recent film Mundije currently in post-production.
Those days, however, are seemingly over for Lazenby, who announced his retirement from public life and his career in July.
"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," he wrote on social media.
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"It's been a fun ride but getting older is no fun. I would like to thank my manager and friend, Anders Frejdh, for helping me since 2013 – the best representative I ever had," he continued.
"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."
Lazenby has been married and divorced twice, and he has had five children with his ex-wives. His son, Zachary, whom Lazenby had with his first wife Chrissie Townson, died at the age of 19 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was 11.
Now 85, Lazenby resides in Los Angeles.
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