In 1969 an unknown Australian male model named George Lazenby won the role of James Bond, probably the most famous and popular onscreen hero in the world at the time (adjusted for inflation Goldfinger and Thunderball had both grossed today's equivalent of over a billion), taking over from Sean Connery, then one of the biggest movie stars of all time, and starred in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which many Bond fans still regard as one of the best films. He then turned down the contract to star in seven more Bond films, feeling the role was just a stepping stone to becoming an even bigger star. He proceeded to never get a single major role in another prominent film ever again.