Gary Bond

Gary James Bond (7 February 1940 – 12 October 1995) was an English actor and singer. He is known for originating the role of Joseph in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, his performances in several high-profile West End plays and musicals, and his portrayal of protagonist John Grant in the Australian film Wake in Fright (1971). Early life Bond was born in the village of Liss, Hampshire, England. He was the first born child of his parents. He was born into a family in which the army was the destined career for any family member, with his father and numerous uncles being in the army. As a result, it was always assumed that he would follow in this tradition and was frequently persuaded by his family that this was his career path. Yet Bond from a young age had always harboured a love for acting. He was educated in Churcher's College in Petersfield and later Portsmouth College of Technology. His father died in December 1956 when Bond was aged just 16, as a result, the young Bond was able to pursue his preferred path without any interference by family members. After leaving education he moved to Johannesburg, South Africa for a gap year. However, he soon returned to England, after he won a scholarship at London's prestigious Central School of Speech & Drama. During his three years there, he gained several awards, including the Margaret Rawlings Cup, shared with Angela Morant, and the Elsie Fogerty Prize for the Best Individual Performance by a Man.