Iconic Australian stage and screen legend Toni Lamond dies aged 93

by

Toni Lamond, a beloved figure in Australian entertainment, passed away on Saturday at the age of 93.

This iconic performer was a trailblazer in the Australian entertainment industry, having worked for an incredible 80 years.

Toni Morrison was born in 1932 and started performing very young. At just 10 years old, she began singing on the radio and traveling with her parents as part of a variety show act.

Her son, Tony Sheldon, posted photos on Instagram showing moments from their life together, like a sweet picture of him being bottle-fed as a baby.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford shared his sadness about the loss on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.

‘Very sad to hear of showbiz legend Toni Lamond’s death at 93. What a life and career!’ he wrote.

She has an incredibly extensive list of acting credits on television, stage, and in film, both in the US and internationally. Interestingly, she made history as the first woman to ever host The Tonight Show.

Oh my gosh, she was incredible! She actually won a Logie, can you believe it? And she wasn’t just at the GTV 9 launch, she performed on the very first broadcast! It’s just… a family of stars, really. Her son, Tony Sheldon, is carrying on the tradition, keeping the showbiz magic alive. I’m such a huge fan, it’s amazing to see the legacy continue!

Toni was incredibly talented, excelling in everything from musical comedy and dramatic plays to recordings, film, television, and cabaret.

Her first starring role was in 1952 alongside Tommy Trinder during The Tommy Trinder Show.

She performed in numerous stage productions, including popular musicals like Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pajama Game, Gypsy, 42nd Street, and The Pirates of Penzance.

She appeared on many popular television shows, including classics like The Graham Kennedy Show, Bandstand, Murder, She Wrote, The Bob Newhart Show, Starsky & Hutch, and Denise.

She also worked on several popular Australian shows, including The Mike Walsh Show, The Bert Newton Show, Parkinson in Australia, In Melbourne Today, Good Morning Australia, Division 4, Number 96, and Spicks and Specks.

Toni appeared in many popular shows and movies, including “The Love Boat,” “Highway to Heaven,” “Eight is Enough,” and “Punky Brewster.” She also had roles in “The Pirates of Penzance,” as well as the films “Spotswood” and “Razzle Dazzle.”

She first married entertainer Frank Sheldon in 1954. Sadly, he passed away by suicide in 1966 while she was performing in the musical Oliver.

Producers famously made her perform the night after his funeral. 

Toni moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s and for many years traveled between the US and Australia for work.

She has received many awards throughout her career, including Logies, Mo Awards, and Variety Club Awards.

Throughout her career, she received several prestigious honors, including the Helpmann Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, the Equity Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Centenary Medal for her contributions to the arts community.

Toni has also been recognized with both a Victorian Honour Roll of Women award and an Order of Australia for her contributions to the entertainment industry.

Read More

2025-11-29 08:33