In 1968, George Lazenby, now 85, was cast as James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, taking over a role made famous by Sean Connery. Unfortunately, Lazenby struggled to fit into the iconic character, partly due to poor advice he received. As his fame dwindled, he shifted focus to family life, ultimately facing tragedy with the loss of his son to a malignant brain tumor in 1994.
The James Bond franchise began in 1963 with Dr. No and has since become a cultural phenomenon, featuring numerous films and actors over the decades. Sean Connery, who portrayed Bond in five films between 1962 and 1967, grew weary of the role. In a 1965 interview with Playboy, he expressed his disinterest, stating he was “sick of this Bond thing”, and found the constant association with the character monotonous.
When Connery stepped away, producers faced the daunting task of finding a successor. Lazenby, then a 29-year-old unknown actor from Australia, caught their attention after appearing in commercials for Fry’s chocolate spread. His persistence and charm helped him land the coveted role. Lazenby even spent his last savings on a tailored suit that had originally belonged to Connery.
Upon auditioning, he boldly introduced himself by saying: “I heard you’re looking for James Bond”, and was subsequently offered the part. However, upon the release of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, reviews were mixed, and comparisons to Connery overshadowed Lazenby’s performance. Notably, critic Gene Siskel remarked that Lazenby lacked the suave confidence of his predecessor.
Despite the criticism, Lazenby was presented with a $1 million contract for six more films, but his manager advised against it, suggesting he pursue other opportunities. This decision led to Lazenby being “blacklisted” in Hollywood, with a reputation for being difficult to work with.
After a brief career in film and television, Lazenby shifted to a more private life. He married Christina Gannet in 1971, and they had two children. Tragically, their son Zachary battled a brain tumor for eight years before passing away at 19, leaving Lazenby “devastated”. Gannet shared on social media that losing Zachary was a profound sorrow for them both.
Following his son’s death, Lazenby divorced Gannet and later married Olympic tennis champion Pam Shriver, with whom he has three children. Now, Lazenby reflects on his life and cherishes his role as a father, stating: “The real successes in my life are my children”. Remember Lazenby’s portrayal of Bond? Share your thoughts on his legacy!
This 2000s Star Sparked Mixed Reactions This Year After Users Saw How Her Appearance Has Changed — Photos of Her Transformation
Over the years, the following award-winning musician has gone through a remarkable transformation, which has sparked conversations online. Take a look at her journey, as she reflects on how the media once perceived her, especially concerning body image.
A well-known singer from the 2000s continues to amaze fans, not just with her powerful vocals but also with her stunning physical appearance. Her latest performances have ignited a wave of online discussions, with opinions varying widely about her current look.
The Hollywood star, considered one of the most successful Canadian artists, first captured the public’s attention with her trip-hop-inspired debut album, “Whoa, Nelly!” (2000).
This album achieved both critical and commercial success, producing two singles that soared into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100: “I’m Like a Bird” and “Turn Off the Light.” The success of “I’m Like a Bird” even won her the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
However, along with her success came a series of difficult experiences. In a recent interview, the songwriter opened up about her early years in the music industry, shedding light on the struggles she faced during that time.
One of the most striking memories she shared from that era was extensive airbrushing. “I have olive skin, and they’d kind of lighten my skin a lot in photos, and kind of take my hips down all the time — they would always cut off in editorials,” the celebrity candidly revealed.
The experience became the inspiration for her song “Powerless,” featured on her 2003 sophomore album, “Folklore.” In the song, the artist sings about the alterations made to her image, expressing lines like, “Paint my face in your magazines / Make it look whiter than it seems / Paint me over with your dreams / Shove away my ethnicity.”
Of Portuguese descent, the songwriter, who has recently unveiled her seventh album, “7,” admitted, “By my second album, I guess I was kind of angry about it.”
Despite the challenges she faced, she looks back on her early fame with gratitude, feeling fortunate to have been shielded from the darker side of the entertainment industry that affected some of her peers.
The singer credits her strong, matriarchal family and the solid support of her team for providing her with a sense of assertiveness and guidance, which helped her navigate the music business successfully.
At one point, Nelly Furtado once stepped away from the limelight to focus on raising her children. She is now a mother of three: two daughters, including 21-year-old Nevis Gahunia, and a son.
After the birth of her two younger children, just 14 months apart, Furtado discovered she was living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
While caring for her daughter, now 6, and son, 5, she recognized the symptoms in herself and was officially diagnosed. Furtado shares her two younger children, whose names remain private, with her ex, rapper Jerry (Gerard Damien Long).
The mother of three had lived with ADHD her entire life. However, it was the “chaos” of raising two young children close in age that ultimately led to her diagnosis.
She disclosed, “When I was attending college, [I was like] ‘Boing, boing, boing, boing.’ I’ve had it my whole life. But when I had my two youngest in close proximity, it made me very aware of my ADHD.”
Since her diagnosis, Furtado has become more mindful, often reflecting on how to stay grounded amidst daily distractions. Exercise, especially dancing, has been key to her routine. She finds that time in the dance studio helps keep her ADHD in check and brings her focus.
With the release of her new album, her first in seven years, the doting mom has returned to the spotlight. Her recent live performances have sparked conversations about her appearance, with some praising her beauty while others focused on her physique.
Meanwhile, one person defended Furtado’s physical appearance, expressing, “So, she gained some weight. So, what! She still looks gorgeous. This obsession with weight is ridiculous.” “She looks better with the curves,” echoed another individual. More users from X (formerly known as Twitter) compared Furtado’s look from back in the day.
Nelly Furtado’s reemergence into the limelight has ignited conversations around her music and appearance, reflecting the multifaceted nature of fame. Despite the chatter, she remains focused on her journey, inspiring many with her resilience and growth as an artist.
Leave a Reply