James Bond actor George Lazenby announces retirement

Iconic Australian actor George Lazenby has announced that he is retiring from public life and acting career to spend more time with his family.

The 84-year-old actor played James Bond in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969).

George Lazenby made the announcement on social media, thanking fans for their support over the years.

The full announcement read:

"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. 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. My sincere gratitude to everyone out there for your love and support over the years. It has meant a lot to me. George xx"

Read the post on Instagram and X.

Fans have been wishing him well and thanking him for his Bond role and appearances at Bond events.

George Lazenby, born 5 September 1939 was the second actor to portray the James Bond in the EON Productions film series, playing the character in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). 

Lazenby began his professional career as a model and had only acted in commercials when he was cast to replace the original Bond actor, Sean Connery. After his Bond film, Lazenby continued acting in 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). In the 1980s Lazenby moved into business and invested in real estate.

In 2017, a Hulu docudrama film, Becoming Bond, featured Lazenby recounting his life story and portrayal of Bond.

The actor will not be signing any new photos, but old stock is still available on the official George Lazenby website.

In 2019, Bond Lifestyle's Remmert Van Braam was asked to create a logo and website for George Lazenby which can be seen at www.georgelazenbyofficial.com