James Bond actor George Lazenby sacked from tour after ‘homophobic, creepy’ remarks
L, George Lazenby at The Hollywood Museum on (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images). R, George Lazenby on the set of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
James Bond actor George Lazenby has apologised after making “hurtful” and “homophobic” remarks during an on-stage interview.
Lazenby was dropped from future Music of James Bond with George Lazenby performances after reports he made homophobic and overtly-sexual remarks during the Australian tour’s third date, at Perth Concert Hall.
“He spent all of the interview just talking about basically his sexual conquests, he was homophobic, he swore, he certainly wasn’t talking about his Bond movies, he downplayed the Queen a day after she died,” a caller to Australian radio station 6pr said after attending the show.
“It was absolutely unbelievable,” they continued. “At one point he named an Australian cricketer whose daughter he was chasing and he said he dragged the daughter out of the pub and put her in the car in London, which again is of course horrific.”
Australian actor George Lazenby as James Bond in the film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’, 1969. (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
The caller said the actor – who played James Bond in just one movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, in 1969 – also named women he had slept with during the performance.
“There were a lot families who had brought their kids probably to their first ever classical music concert,” they said.
“It wasn’t even charming, it wasn’t even funny. It was creepy, it was offensive… It was absolutely horrific behaviour.”
The actor apologised for his comments on Twitter, saying he was “sorry and saddened.”
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 were taken that way. I only ever wish to share pic.twitter.com/zD9jEazNm2
— George Lazenby (@lazenbyofficial) September 12, 2022
“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,” he added.
The WASO (West Australian Symphony Orchestra) and Concertworks have both condemned Lazenby’s actions.
“Mr Lazenby’s recollections were personal views and they are totally unacceptable,” WASO said in a statement.
“His views are not shared or endorsed by WASO or Perth Concert Hall.”
Lazenby has been dropped from future tour dates of the show. (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
In a separate statement, Concertworks said: “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.”
The search for the next Bond is currently underway, with Daniel Craig having played the role for the last time in 2021’s No Time To Die.
Luke Evans and Idris Elba frequently top the list of potential replacements.
