Robert John Guest was a New Zealand-Australian actor, television personality and host and singer, who started his career in pop music in New Zealand, before becoming best known for his work in Australian musical theatre, particularly in various productions of The Phantom of the Opera.
21 Facts About Rob Guest
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Rob Guest played the lead for a record-breaking 2,289 performances over seven years, more than any other performer.
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Rob Guest moved to New Zealand with his family when he was 13, and later moved to Canada where he was in a band called The Apparition.
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The family returned to New Zealand and in 1968 Guest joined the band The Shore Thing who relaunched in 1969 as the Apparition.
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Rob Guest signed with Polydor records in 1972 and released his debut single "House of Cards" written by Lynsey de Paul and Barry Blue.
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Rob Guest appeared on the New Zealand radio charts and starred for many years on television shows including Happen Inn.
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Rob Guest appeared in the Hamilton Operatic Society's productions of Half a Sixpence and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, reprising the lead role for the Rotorua Operatic Society, for which he played the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar.
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Rob Guest won his first lead at age 22 in The Jesus Christ Revolution.
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In 1981 Rob Guest moved to the United States with his first wife, Lynette Perry, where he spent most of the 1980s performing and hosting shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe.
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In 1985 Rob Guest won the FIDOF Award in Los Angeles for his performance at the World Song Festival.
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Rob Guest returned to New Zealand, opened a photographic studio, while continuing to moonlight as a performer.
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Rob Guest moved to Australia after he was cast as Jean Valjean in the Australian production of Les Miserables, following Normie Rowe's portrayal, and spent three-and-a-half years touring Australia and New Zealand in the role; Rob Guest received a Green Room Award for Best Male Performer in a Leading Role.
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Rob Guest then followed Anthony Warlow in the title role in The Phantom of the Opera from December 1991 to September 1998.
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Rob Guest was the world's longest-serving Phantom, having played the role a record 2,289 performances over seven years in front of Australian and New Zealand audiences.
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In 1995, Rob Guest was invited as one of the seventeen Jean Valjeans from around the world to perform the encore of the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
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In 1993 Rob Guest received the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc, the highest honour available to a New Zealand variety entertainer.
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Rob Guest performed numerous gala performances both in Australia and internationally, twice hosting Carols in the Domain, and releasing four gold-selling albums.
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Rob Guest died on the morning of 1 October 2008 with his partner Kellie Dickerson, Judy Barnes and their children Christopher and Amy and best friend Greg Smart by his side.
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At the time of his death, Rob Guest was appearing as the Wizard of Oz in the Australian premiere production of the hit Broadway musical Wicked, which had opened in Melbourne in July 2008.
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Rob Guest was buried at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium, Macquarie Park, New South Wales.
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The Rob Guest Endowment is awarded each year to an emerging musical theatre performer selected by a panel of industry experts.