Before becoming a successful country star, Reba McEntire, born in southern Oklahoma, grew up in the small town of Chockie. She comes from a long line of ranchers and rodeo participants, and as the middle child among four siblings, she often fought for attention, especially from her father, who never told his children he loved them. Her sister described their father as a tough cowboy who openly expressed his thoughts and was considered cruel by today’s standards.
Despite her father’s skepticism about her hobbies likе basketball and barrel racing, McEntire excelled in these activities, though she admitted singing was her true talent, discovered at age five. McEntire, 68, was also married to TV producer Narvel Blackstock for 26 years, with whom she had a son, Shelby Blackstock, a race car driver. Narvel’s request for a divorce, coupled with his new relationship with one of McEntire’s friends, left her blindsided and heartbroken.
However, McEntire found love again with actor Rex Linn. Initially uninterested in dating post-divorce, McEntire reconnected with Linn in 2020. They had first met in 1991 while working on “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw.” Their relationship blossomed after Linn invited her to dinner, and they have been inseparable since. McEntire expressed her happiness and called Linn the “love of [her] life,” cherishing the small, caring gestures that define their relationship.
George Lazenby rejected 6 James Bond movies and his career, later suffered the loss of his 19-year-old son to a brain tumor
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!
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