Australian actor George Lazenby, renowned for his portrayal of James Bond in the 1969 hit "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," has declared his retirement. Lazenby revealed his decision in a statement shared on social media earlier today. At the age of 84, he plans to step away from acting and public appearances, focusing on spending more time with his family.

In a series of retirement posts, Lazenby expressed gratitude to his manager and friend, Anders Frejdh, for their support since 2013, stating that Frejdh had been his best representative. He also thanked his fans for their love and continuous support throughout his career.

Lazenby was cast as MI6 agent 007, replacing the legendary Sean Connery, making him the second actor to take on the iconic role. However, he had the shortest tenure as Bond, exclusively appearing in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." Connery later made a comeback to the James Bond universe in the 1971 film "Diamonds Are Forever."

Following his stint as Bond, Lazenby continued to act in television movies, commercials, and recurring roles in TV series. In addition, he took part in the Emmanuelle film series and various James Bond movie spoofs. His most recent appearance was in the action film "Mundije."

The decision to retire was not an easy one for Lazenby, but he mentioned that aging had made it less enjoyable to continue pursuing acting. With his retirement, he hopes to devote more quality time to his family, while expressing deep appreciation for the support he received from his fans over the years.

Although Lazenby's career spanned various roles and genres, his portrayal of James Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" remains a memorable moment in film history. As fans reminisce about his remarkable contribution to the franchise, they wish him well in the next chapter of his life.

George Lazenby's retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy as the suave and sophisticated Agent 007 will endure, leaving an indelible mark on the James Bond franchise.