George Lazenby famously quit as James Bond following On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but here’s his unofficial second time playing “J.B.”

While George Lazenby famously exited the James Bond franchise after one movie, he’s technically played the character twice. The early Bond series fronted by Sean Connery birthed one of the longest-running franchises in movie history.

In a modern film landscape filled with large-scale blockbusters, it’s easy to forget just how popular the earliest films in the series were.

In addition to the action, adventure and romance they offered, the film also took audiences to exotic locales many would likely not get a chance to visit.

While the James Bond movies made Connery a star, he grew increasingly unhappy as the movies progressed. In addition to being uncomfortable with the fame they brought, he also felt he was being grossly unpaid by producers.

That’s why he stepped aside following the fifth outing You Only Live Twice, and after many contenders – including future Bond Timothy Dalton – were considered, model George Lazenby blagged his way into the role.

While his entry On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is (rightly) considered one of the best Bonds ever, it was a box-office disappointment at the time.

Lazenby also received mixed reviews in contrast to Connery. While he was supposed to return for Diamonds Are Forever, he quit the role and Connery – whose favorite Bond is From Russia With Love – was lured back with a very generous payday, which he used to set up the Scottish International Education Trust.

Lazenby’s career suffered badly due to the circumstances surrounding his exit, though he worked steadily in later years.

He also reprised Bond – kind of – for the 1983 TV movie The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair.

The Return Of The Man From Uncle Introduces Lazenby’s “J.B”

For context, 1983 was positioned as the “Battle of the Bonds” due to Roger Moore reprising the role for EON’s Octopussy, while Connery returned for the unofficial outing Never Say Never Again.

The press was – naturally – salivating over the rivalry between the films, and which would be a bigger hit.

To that end, Lazenby was asked to play “J.B.” in The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E, a TV movie sequel to the classic spy series.

Lazenby’s cameo sees him wearing a white tux and driving an Astin Martin around Vegas when he spots Robert Vaughn’s Solo being chased by bad guys.

Lazenby’s “J.B.” then uses various gadgets from his car like missiles to help Solo out, and quipping lines like “Shaken, not stirred.” While The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. is being tongue-in-cheek and avoids any overt reference, George Lazenby is very clearly playing James Bond.

Of course, it doesn’t count as part of the official Bond series and is overlooked for that very reason, but for those who think Lazenby only played the part once, The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. gave his version of 007 a fun epilogue.