‘FORGOTTEN’ 007 GEORGE LAZENBY LOOKS AT BOND IN THE REAR VIEW
George Lazenby notoriously quit the James Bond franchise after starring in just one movie, 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
The Australian model-turnedactor, who succeeded Sean Connery as the titular spy, became the butt of raunchy late-night TV jokes and a pariah to major studios, eventually giving up acting and moving into real estate. But Lazenby, 77 — the subject of a new documentary, Becoming
Bond (streaming on Hulu) — says he has had his share of champions through the years, including former 007 Roger Moore, who died of cancer last month at 89.
“There’s a guy making (another) documentary on me in Australia,” Lazenby tells USA TODAY. “He says he’s got (footage) with Roger Moore, and Roger says during the interview that ‘Lazenby is a better Bond than me.’ I’m sure Connery didn’t say that.”
Q Revisiting this chapter of your life through the documentary, did you ever regret your decision to quit Bond?
A No. First of all, I wasn’t an actor. I had no desire to be an actor — I just took this on as a challenge and quite liked it. I can take it or leave it. I’m glad I didn’t do another Bond, because I would’ve been totally trapped in the film industry, and I wouldn’t have had the life I had. I wouldn’t have had the kids I had. I’m quite satisfied with the way my life has turned out so far.
Q Why did you turn down $1 million to star in six more movies?
A The times were changing fast. My manager at the time, Ronan O’Rahilly, started a radio station (Radio Caroline) and launched all these English pop groups, so I thought he knew what he was talking about. He said, “Bond is over! It’s hippie time! Make love not war!” He was there with me when I was offered the million dollars, and he said, “There’s a guy called Clint Eastwood making $500,000 a month making Westerns. He doesn’t even have to speak.” So I said, “OK, I guess a million dollars is easy to make, so I won’t worry about this one.”
Q What’s one perk of being 007 that you missed most?
A I remember I rang up the Dorchester Hotel (in London) to get my table, and they said, “Sorry, Mr. Lazenby. That table is not available,” as I was going down in fame. So I called back using Cary Grant’s accent, and they said, “Oh, yes, Mr. Grant!” I turned up and was like, “I’m Cary Grant’s guest.” And after a while, I went outside and came back in as if I had received a phone call and said, “By the way, Mr. Grant can’t make it tonight.” I did things like that just for fun. Q Who do you think should play Bond next after Daniel Craig ?
A I don’t see that many movies anymore, I’m not current on all this stuff. I know Craig will get paid a pile of money if he wants to do another one, and that makes me a little jealous. But I can’t think of anybody. It’s the somebody who’s got their stuff together and feels secure in their own shoes. I was silly enough to feel that way. Q Have you watched On Her Majesty’s Secret Ser-
vice since?
A I haven’t seen it in 30 years. My kids saw half of it. It was on cable and my (ex-wife Christina Gannett, whose family started media company Gannett, which owns USA TODAY) turned on the TV, and they told me it was halfway over when she turned it on. Other than that, I’ve heard people tell me it’s the best Bond, but then, they’re with me. What else are they going to say?