1. Toni Lamond AM was born on as Patricia Lamond Lawman; 29 March 1932 and is an Australian former vaudevillian, cabaret performer, singer, actress, dancer, comedian, writer and television and radio personality.
19 Facts About Toni Lamond
1. 2.
Toni Lamond had a successful career spanning over 80 years, both locally and internationally including in the United Kingdom and United States.
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Alongside her showbiz contemporaries Jill Perryman and Nancye Hayes, Toni Lamond has been called one of the three grand dames of Australian musical theatre, and in her prime a talent that could rival Doris Day.
4.
Toni Lamond learned to tap dance at 8 and began her professional career aged 10 when she sang on the radio while touring with her vaudevillian parents in variety shows.
5.
Toni Lamond compered her own IMT, becoming the first woman in the world to compere a variety television show in 1961 and the following year.
6.
Toni Lamond appeared in films including telemovies and features such as the 2007 Razzle Dazzle: A Journey Into Dance.
7.
Toni Lamond travelled to the United Kingdom, where in a similar vein to entertainer Lorrae Desmond, she appeared in the British night club and cabaret, circuit and on BBC-TV and BBC Radio.
8.
Toni Lamond recorded two singles for record label; Philips in London.
9.
Toni Lamond debuted on the New York stage with a production Cabaret at the age of 67.
10.
Toni Lamond has written several autobiographical books, including First Half, Along the Way, and Still a Gypsy.
11.
In July 2010, Toni Lamond was a headline act in the inaugural Melbourne Cabaret Festival.
12.
Toni Lamond joined the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra with Trisha Crowe, Michael Falzon, Amanda Harrison, Lucy Maunder, Andy Conaghan, and others to record I Dreamed a Dream: The Hit Songs of Broadway for ABC Classics, released on 21 June 2013.
13.
Toni Lamond sang "Send in the Clowns" from Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music.
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Toni Lamond is a wonderful human being who has given back to her community, to her colleagues, and to her industry in every way she can.
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Toni Lamond has a significant pedigree within the Australian performing arts.
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Toni Lamond is the daughter of Stella Lamond and Joe Lawman, both vaudeville entertainers.
17.
Toni Lamond's parents divorced when she was seven and Stella remarried Max Reddy, whilst Lawman married soubrette Joy Robbins.
18.
Toni Lamond married performer Frank Sheldon in 1954, but in 1966 shortly after a separation, he took his own life.
19.
Toni Lamond overcame and publicly discussed the issue in an episode of The Mike Walsh Show, becoming one of the first Australian media personalities to do so.