George Lazenby has announced his ‘difficult decision’ to retire from acting in an update on Thursday.
The actor, 84, who played the fictional character in the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, admitted that ‘getting older has taken its toll’.
Sharing a photo of himself to X, George wrote a heartfelt post saying that while it has been a ‘fun ride’ he is now looking forward to spending more time with his family.
He shared: ‘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 no fun.
George Lazenby, 84, has announced his ‘difficult decision’ to retire from acting in an update on Thursday
The actor, who played the fictional character in the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, admitted that ‘getting older has taken its toll’
He continued: ‘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. I sincerely thank everyone out there for your love and support over the years. It has meant a lot to me. George xx.’
The Aussie has the distinction of being the second actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond, though he had the shortest tenure of them, as he only starred in a single Bond film.
Lazenby had only acted in commercials when he was cast to replace the original Bond star, Sean Connery.
He declined offers to reprise the role in subsequent Bond films, in favour of having the flexibility to take other roles throughout the 1970s such as Universal Soldier (1971), Who Saw Her Die? (1972), The Shrine Of Ultimate Bliss (1974), The Man From Hong Kong (1975), and The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977).
Although he only starred in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Lazenby’s sole film in the series is now considered one of the best Bond films.
Retrospective reviews have praised Lazenby for portraying a more developed emotional life than other Bond actors, and acclaimed filmmakers including Christopher Nolan and Steven Soderbergh have declared the film their favourite of the series.
Connery would ultimately return to star in Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and then return a second time for Never Say Never Again (1983), following Roger Moore’s run as the iconic character.
The Aussie has the distinction of being the second actor to portray fictional British secret agent, though he only starred in a single Bond film (pictured in 2021)
Sharing a photo of himself to X, George wrote a heartfelt post saying that while it has been a ‘fun ride’ he is now looking forward to spending more time with his family
In December, a member of George’s team announced that he was is in recovery after being hospitalised for a brain injury following a fall.
The actor, who fell at his home in November, was rushed to hospital before being cared for at a California nursing home.
A member of his team from Anders Frejdh Talent Management took to Twitter to update fans on his health, writing: ‘I’m very happy to report our client George Lazenby has safely returned home.
‘After an accidental fall at home in November leading to a head injury, he’s rehabilitated well thanks to the great team at Beverly West Healthcare for which I, his family and friends are grateful for.
‘Not easy getting old but at 84, George has certainly demonstrated what a fighter he is. Love and only love.’
