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Australia’s only James Bond, George Lazenby, reveals his battle with dementia

George Lazenby, Australia’s only James Bond, has been battling dementia. His ex-wife, Pam Shriver, shared insights into his condition in an emotional piece for London’s The Telegraph newspaper.

George Lazenby played James Bond in the film “On Her Majesty's Secret Service”. Picture: Supplied
George Lazenby played James Bond in the film “On Her Majesty's Secret Service”. Picture: Supplied

Australia’s only James Bond, George Lazenby is battling dementia.

His ex-wife, former US tennis star Pam Shriver, who now cares for him and visits him almost everyday in the assisted living facility where he resides in Los Angeles, revealed Lazenby’s health situation in an emotional and insightful first person piece for The Telegraph newspaper in London.

Lazenby was one of just six actors to ever play the famous 007. Picture: Supplied
Lazenby was one of just six actors to ever play the famous 007. Picture: Supplied

Lazenby shot to worldwide fame in 1969 when he was cast as James Bond after Sean Connery stepped away from the film franchise. Lazenby played Bond in just one film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. He quit the role after the film’s release despite being offered $2m (AUS) by producers to sign on for a further six Bond films.

He is one of just six actors – Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig – to play Bond in the official film series.

Lazenby Australia’s only 007 has been battling dementia. Picture: Supplied
Lazenby Australia’s only 007 has been battling dementia. Picture: Supplied

Lazenby, who was born in Goulburn in New South Wales, was a car salesman, a mechanic and a model before landing the role of Bond.

Shriver was introduced to Lazenby at the Wimbledon tennis tournament in 2000. They married in 2002, had three children and separated in 2008.

Lazenby was a car salesman, a mechanic, and a model before landing the iconic role. Picture: Supplied
Lazenby was a car salesman, a mechanic, and a model before landing the iconic role. Picture: Supplied

“Ours has been a turbulent relationship: sometimes tender, sometimes toxic,” Shriver wrote.

“There were times, after our divorce, when we could not bear speaking to each other. But in George’s later years, everything has come full circle. We see each other every day, unless I am commentating or coaching at a tennis event. We say ‘I love you’ every time we hang up the phone and look forward to the time we spend together.

Lazenby’s ex wife Pam Shriver revealed Lazenby’s health situation in an emotional and insightful first person piece for The Telegraph newspaper. Picture: Supplied
Lazenby’s ex wife Pam Shriver revealed Lazenby’s health situation in an emotional and insightful first person piece for The Telegraph newspaper. Picture: Supplied

“George is 85 now, and he has dementia, but he is still very much himself. A softer version of himself, perhaps – and this is the key. Growing up in 1950s small-town Australia, he learnt to be independent, to be resourceful and to be witheringly direct. He was never encouraged to speak about his emotions or to seek help. Only recently – as he has been forced to accept the limitations of age – has he truly mellowed.

“If I have a lesson here, it is that relationships can recover. We might never have stayed in touch but for the three children that we share. Now, as George enters the last phase of his life, I just want to extend this late period of reconciliation and renewal for as long as I can.”

Originally published as Australia’s only James Bond, George Lazenby, reveals his battle with dementia

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/victoria/australias-only-james-bond-george-lazenby-reveals-his-battle-with-dementia/news-story/3ce845a838e1e743a8a9cd3ac208dc3f