The world of Australian showbusiness is in mourning following the death of pioneering entertainer Toni Lamond on Saturday. The stage and screen legend was 93 years old.
A Life in the Spotlight: An 80-Year Career
Born in 1932, Toni Lamond's remarkable career in entertainment spanned an incredible eight decades. She first stepped into the limelight at the tender age of 10, singing on the radio and touring in variety shows with her parents. Her first major starring role came in 1952 on The Tommy Trinder Show.
Lamond was a performer of immense versatility, with talents spanning musical comedy, dramatic plays, film, television, and cabaret. Her stage credits were vast, including acclaimed productions of Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, and The Pirates of Penzance.
On television, she became a familiar face on iconic shows such as:
- The Graham Kennedy Show
- Bandstand
- Murder, She Wrote
- The Bob Newhart Show
- Starsky & Hutch
She also made her mark internationally with roles in The Love Boat and Highway to Heaven after moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s.
Trailblazing Achievements and Personal Tributes
Lamond was a genuine trailblazer. She was the first woman in the world to host a Tonight Show, a significant milestone in television history. Her accolades were numerous, including Logie Awards, Mo Awards, and the Helpmann Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Her son, actor Tony Sheldon, shared heartfelt photos on Instagram, including one of his mother bottle-feeding him as a baby, documenting their life together and continuing the family's showbusiness dynasty.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford expressed his heartbreak on X, formerly Twitter, writing: "Very sad to hear of showbiz legend Toni Lamond's death at 93. What a life and career! A list of TV stage and movie credits as long as your arm—both here and overseas."
A Legacy Forged in Triumph and Tragedy
Her personal life knew profound tragedy. She was married to performer Frank Sheldon in 1954, but he died by suicide in 1966 while she was performing in Oliver. In a testament to her professional fortitude, producers made her perform the night after his funeral.
Lamond's contributions were formally recognised with an Order of Australia for Service to the Entertainment Industry and a place on the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. With a career that touched every facet of entertainment, Toni Lamond's legacy as a beloved and groundbreaking Australian entertainer is firmly cemented.
