George Lazenby stepped into the spotlight as James Bond in just one movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service from 1969, but his career didn’t end there. After turning down a big contract to stay as 007, he jumped into a mix of action-packed adventures, gritty dramas, and even some wild international flicks that showed off his tough guy charm and physical skills.[1][2][3] Fans often overlook these other roles because the Bond shadow looms large, but Lazenby’s work beyond that single spy outing reveals a guy who kept grinding in Hollywood and abroad, picking parts that let him fight, drive fast, and play brooding heroes.
Let’s start with one of his standout non-Bond hits, Universal Soldier from 1971. In this one, Lazenby plays a tough American officer named Ryker who’s sent undercover into a right-wing paramilitary group in Europe. The plot kicks off when a peace rally turns into chaos with a bombing, and Ryker has to infiltrate the bad guys led by a wild character played by Ben Carruthers. It’s full of fistfights, chases through snowy mountains, and tense standoffs that highlight Lazenby’s real strength—his raw physicality from his modeling days and stunt work.[1] He lands the role after impressing producers with his ability to throw punches, just like how he got Bond by accidentally decking a wrestler during auditions.[3] The movie feels like a gritty thriller from the early 70s, with Lazenby showing a serious side as a soldier wrestling with duty and betrayal. Critics at the time didn’t rave, but it’s gained a cult following for its no-nonsense action and Lazenby’s believable tough exterior. He wears leather jackets, handles guns like a pro, and even gets into a brutal barn brawl that leaves you rooting for him. This film proved he could carry a lead without gadgets or tuxedos, just pure sweat and grit.
Right after that, Lazenby headed to Italy for a string of what folks call “spaghetti westerns” and exploitation movies, chasing work when Hollywood doors slammed shut post-Bond. Who Saw Her Die? from 1972 is a dark gem in that bunch. Here, he stars as a sculptor living in Venice with his young daughter, and the story turns into a chilling murder mystery when the kid goes missing. Lazenby’s character is haunted, desperate, paddling through foggy canals in a gondola while hunting clues amid creepy masked balls and shadowy killers. It’s got that Euro-crime vibe—slow burns mixed with sudden violence—and Lazenby nails the role of a dad pushed to the edge. His Australian accent adds a unique outsider feel, making the Venice setting even more atmospheric. The film’s twists keep you guessing, and Lazenby’s emotional depth shines in scenes where he’s pleading with police or facing off against suspects. Not a blockbuster, but it’s one of his most praised non-Bond efforts for blending suspense with real heart.
Sticking with Italy, The Man from Hong Kong in 1975 pairs Lazenby with martial arts star Jimmy Wang Yu in a fast-paced cop thriller. Lazenby plays a tough Australian detective who teams up with a Hong Kong narcotics officer to bust a drug ring run by a crime boss played by the imposing Hugh Keays-Byrne. Picture high-kicks, boat chases on Sydney Harbour, and Lazenby in sharp suits trading blows with kung fu experts. He holds his own in the fight scenes, using his height and build to play the brawling Westerner clashing with Eastern styles. The movie mixes blaxploitation energy with Aussie grit, and Lazenby’s charm as the fish-out-of-water cop makes it fun. It’s got nudity, drugs, and over-the-top villains, but Lazenby’s steady presence grounds it. He even gets a memorable rooftop showdown that showcases his agility years after Bond.
Another Italian adventure, The Kentucky Fried Movie from 1977, isn’t exactly a Lazenby vehicle, but he pops up in a hilarious sketch called “A Fistful of Yen,” parodying Bruce Lee flicks. Lazenby plays the “hero” opposite a chop-socky master, and it’s pure comedy gold with fake dubbing, wild wire work, and Lazenby hamming it up as the clueless white guy getting schooled. Though brief, it shows his willingness to poke fun at himself post-Bond, and fans love it as a lighthearted nod to his action roots. The whole film’s a sketch comedy riot from the Airplane creators, but Lazenby’s segment steals the show for martial arts buffs.
Back in action mode, Death Dimension from 1978, also known as Black Eliminator, casts Lazenby as a super-spy named Stone, hired to protect a scientist with a death-ray formula from a villainess played by Teresa Gimpera. It’s pure 70s grindhouse—think low-budget explosions, Hari Rhodes as a psychic sidekick, and Lazenby dodging laser beams while wearing bell-bottoms. He fights off goons in warehouses and drives souped-up cars through deserts, bringing that Bond-level cool without the polish. Critics called it cheesy, but it’s entertaining for its wild energy and Lazenby’s effortless hero vibe. He co-stars with Juano Hernandez and even gets to quip through the absurdity, proving he could thrive in B-movies.
Lazenby dipped into TV territory too, like the 1978 pilot Stunt Seven, where he leads a team of daredevils solving crimes with crazy stunts—car jumps, helicopter fights, you name it. Though it didn’t become a series, his charisma as the team leader shines, echoing his stunt-heavy Bond days. Around the same time, he voiced characters in animated shows like the Australian series Thunderbirds 2086, lending his gravelly voice to mechs and space adventures, keeping busy in voice work.
The 1980s brought Is Anybody There? a quirky family drama where Lazenby plays a magician entertaining kids at a nursing home. It’s a softer role, showing his range beyond fists—think heartfelt talks and magic tricks amid elderly folks’ stories. Not action, but it highlights his warmth. Then came Never Too Young to Die in 1986, a cult favorite with Lazenby as Drew Stargrove, a Vegas performer teaming with John Stamos to avenge his father’s death against a villain named Velvet Von Ragner, played by drag icon Gene Simmons. It’s got acid baths, cybernetic henchmen, and Lazenby in mullet-era glory, singing and fighting. Pure 80s cheese, but his chemistry with Stamos and over-the-top kills make it a blast.
Hell Hunters from 1986 has him as a mercenary in Africa, battling poachers and rebels alongside Chuck Connors. Lazenby leads raids through jungles, pilots choppers, and stands tall as the honorable soldier. It’s got that Men on a Mission feel, with Lazenby’s military bearing front and center. He followed with The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. TV movie in 1983
