James Bond star, 84, announces 'difficult decision' to retire from acting as 'getting older has taken its toll'

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.

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

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)

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.

Lazenby was the second actor to portray Agent 007 and at age 29, he was the youngest - being paid $50K for the film.

He had been offered a contract for six more Bond movies, but had been advised by his agent, Ronan O'Rahilly, to turn the deal down. 

However, the former superstar has since said he has no regrets, telling the New York Post in 2017: 'It made me famous, and I had to deal with that for a while, which is a pain in the butt. You know, it's just part of me. I don't know why it happened.'

Lazenby worked as a male model and car salesman before landing the iconic role. 

The actor's face was recently put on a Royal Mail stamp along with others who have played 007 through the decades.  

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. 

Lazenby was the second actor to portray Agent 007 and at age 29, he was the youngest - being paid $50K for the film

He worked as a male model and car salesman before landing the role and had been offered a contract for six more films, but had been advised by his agent, Ronan O'Rahilly, to turn it down

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.'

In 2020, Lazenby made headlines after he told the Daily Star he'd slept with five girls a day while filming On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

The Aussie star, who described himself as a 'rugged' male model in his younger years, said it was 'outrageous' that he was having so much sex. 

He said: 'I was having sex sometimes five times a day. It was outrageous. And that couldn't happen on the set, because there were only eight girls there for the whole nine months. That was rough in those days.'

Lazenby admitted he liked to drink and stay out all night, saying: 'I’d go out to four o’clock in the morning, sometimes until daybreak'.

But he said that he failed to bed his co-star British actress Diana Rigg, after she caught him pants down with a receptionist at the hotel.

In 2020, Lazenby made headlines after he told the Daily Star he'd slept with five girls a day while filming On Her Majesty's Secret Service, describing himself as a 'rugged' male model in his younger years

But he said that he failed to bed his co-star British actress Diana Rigg, after she caught him pants down with a receptionist at the hotel (pictured together in film)

He said: 'I was in the stunt tent, because there were lot of mattresses in there. And Diana [Rigg] is walking up the path and this bloody stuntman lifted the side of the tent up.

'And I am fully fledged into it and I said: 'Hi'. And she fled and that was the end of our affair. We never got there.'

In 2022, Lazenby received a wave of backlash after he reportedly discussed his sexual conquests and swore at The Music of James Bond show in September in Perth.

He issued a heartfelt apology after he was axed from his own live concert show over complaints about his onstage comments.

Organiser Concertworks announced Lazenby has been dropped from The Music of James Bond tour's Melbourne leg due to his 'unacceptable' comments at the Perth show.

Ticket sales for the show - which features orchestral performances and a sit-down interview with Lazenby - were open to all ages, and there were reportedly children in the audience.

While a recording of his exact statements was not released, a member of the audience described them as 'horrific' during a radio interview with 6PR. 

'He spent all of the interview just talking basically about his sexual conquests, he swore, he certainly wasn't talking about his Bond movies, he downplayed the Queen, a day after she died,' the caller said. 

In 2022, Lazenby received a wave of backlash after he reportedly discussed his sexual conquests and swore at The Music of James Bond show in September in Perth 

He issued a heartfelt apology after he was axed from his own live concert show over complaints about his onstage comments 

'He named women he had slept with, and there were children in the audience, and a lot families who had brought their kids probably to their first classical music concert,' they continued.

The caller went on to brand his comments 'creepy', 'offensive', and 'absolutely horrific behaviour.'

He wrote: 'I am sorry and saddened to hear that my stories in Perth on Saturday might have offended some people.

'It was never my intention to make hurtful or homophobic comments and I am truly sorry if my stories that I have shared many times, for example in the documentary BECOMING BOND, were taken that way.'

The actor said his intentions were always pure, and only hoped to 'entertain' people with his life stories.

He continued: 'I personally have friends within my close circle who are gay and I would never wish to offend anyone. Having been surrounded by strong women all my life, I have always admired and respected women and their wishes.' 

Lazenby concluded his post with a tribute to his family and friends, saying: 'I figure my real achievements in my life are my kids: when my daughter Melanie recently got married, I was so proud. 

'As I am of my other kids, Jennifer - who has made me a great granddad. My younger kids are doing well: George Jnr and my twins, Samuel and Kaitlin. Now in my 80s, family and friends are naturally what’s most important to me.'

Organiser Concertworks announced Lazenby has been dropped from The Music of James Bond tour's Melbourne leg due to his 'unacceptable' comments at the Perth show 

While a recording of his exact statements was not released, a member of the audience described them as 'horrific' during a radio interview with 6PR  

Concertworks condemned Lazenby's conduct in a statement published to Facebook, clarifying that he would no longer join the Melbourne show later that month. 

The statement began: 'Concertworks is extremely saddened and disappointed by George Lazenby's language, comments and recollections during The Music of James Bond concert at the Perth Concert Hall on Saturday 10 September.

'These were his personal views and there is no excuse for this in today's society. They do not reflect the views of Concertworks. On behalf of Concertworks, we sincerely apologise to the audience, performers, conductor, WASO and the Perth Concert Hall.

'Concertworks denounces Mr Lazenby's conduct and the final Music of James Bond concert in Melbourne will proceed without Mr Lazenby in attendance.' 

Further, The WA Symphony Orchestra (WASO) also issued a similar statement condemning Lazenby's comments, calling them 'totally unacceptable'.

'His views are not shared or endorsed by WASO or Perth Concert Hall. We thank performers Bonnie Anderson and Luke Kennedy, conductor Nicholas Buc and the WASO musicians for their professionalism,' they added. 

Lazenby welcomed his first daughter Jennifer at the age of 21 with army sergeant Maureen Powell.

He went on to tie the knot with his girlfriend of three years, Christina Ross Townson, who was an heiress of the Gannett family.

He went on to tie the knot with his girlfriend of three years, Christina Ross Townson, and they welcomed daughter Melanie, 50, and son Zack, who tragically died in 1994 at just 19 years old

He went on to marry former tennis player Pam Shriver in 2002 and they had children George Samuel, 20, and twins Kaitlin Elizabeth and Samuel Robert, 18, but divorced in 2011 (pictured in 2006)

The couple welcomed two children together, daughter Melanie, 50, and son Zack, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour when he was 11 and tragically died in 1994 at just 19 years old.

He and Christina divorced the following year, and he went on to marry former tennis player Pam Shriver in 2002.

They had children George Samuel, 20, and twins Kaitlin Elizabeth and Samuel Robert, 18. 

In August 2008, Shriver filed for divorce from Lazenby after six years of marriage, citing 'irreconcilable differences' and their divorce was finalized in May 2011.

Lazenby is also the godfather of model Jodie Kidd, 45, who shared a sweet snap of the pair together last July.

The TV presenter jetted off to Los Angeles to shoot a film and while she was there she took the opportunity to visit the actor.

Lazenby looked to be in good health and spirits as he kissed his godchild on the cheek for their sweet snap.

Jodie captioned her post: 'What a whirlwind of a trip to LA, can’t wait to show you my new film.'

'And then the cherry on the cake is I got to hang out with my most wonderful Godfather. The love I have for this man is otherworldly, planning Christmas Georgy.'

Lazenby is also the godfather of model Jodie Kidd, 45, who shared a sweet snap of the pair together last July