Why George Lazenby Left the Role of James Bond After 1 Movie

George Lazenby played James Bond a single time before walking away from the part forever. He explained why on earth he threw away the opportunity to play 007 again and again. Interestingly, he didn’t feel like he was losing money when he made that fateful decision.

George Lazenby said the hippy scene convinced him to reject James Bond

Sean Connery played Bond seven times, Roger Moore did the same, and Daniel Craig played him five times. Lazenby ditched the role after a single outing: the critically acclaimed On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The Guardian reports Lazenby turned down a million dollars to play the fictional spy another six times.

In 2017, Lazenby said the cultural atmosphere of the 1960s explained his decision. “I had advice that James Bond was over anyway,” he said. “It was Sean Connery’s gig and, being in the ’60s, it was love, not war. You know, hippy time. And I bought into that.

“They also said there’s a guy called Clint Eastwood doing movies in Italy, getting 500 grand for a month, for doing a Western,” he added. “They said, you could do that. So I didn’t feel like I was losing the million dollars.”

Where the actor’s career went after James Bond

According to his recollection, Lazenby anticipated becoming a Spaghetti Western star after On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. His career didn’t pan out that way. Instead, his primary gigs were Hong Kong action films. While Hong Kong action movies have a cult following in the Western world, they aren’t nearly as well-known as the 007 movies.

Lazenby also starred in Who Saw Her Die? That movie is a giallo, a type of stylish Italian thriller. Giallos are beloved by American film nerds, but they rarely had much success in the English-speaking world. He also had a bit part in The Kentucky Fried Movie, a sketch comedy movie that served as the filmmaking debut of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker. That trio went on to craft classic comedies like Airplane! and The Naked Gun.

While Lazenby had some minor success in small films, he never achieved movie star status. He’s more like a walking piece of trivia than anything. While Connery brought a macho brutality to 007 and Moore gave the character some debonair camp, Lazenby’s Bond was flavorless.

George Lazenby said he never cared too much about 007

During a 2022 interview with Woman’s Day, Lazenby revealed his favorite memories of working on On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. “My fondest memories are of working with Diana Rigg,” he recalled. “She undoubtedly raised my acting game. She was everything a top spy should be — sexy, tough, sassy, and able to look after herself. We had a lot of fun on set.”

While many actors would love to play 007, Lazenby downplayed his association with the character. “Becoming Bond was never my end goal,” he explained. “Living life on your own terms is much fuller. The best thing you can do is know yourself and be yourself. I may not be great but I’m an original.”

Lazenby turned down what many onlookers would consider the offer of a lifetime — but he seems perfectly happy with his decision.