The Australian entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Toni Lamond, after she died on Saturday at the age of 93.
The stage and screen legend was a pioneering entertainer Down Under, with 80 years of experience under her belt.
Born in 1932, Toni began her career at the age of 10, when she started singing on the radio and touring with her parents in variety shows.
Her son, Tony Sheldon, shared several photos to Instagram that documented their life together, including an image of her bottle feeding him when he was a baby.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share his heartbreak over the loss.
‘Very sad to hear of showbiz legend Toni Lamond’s death at 93. What a life and career!’ he wrote.
Australian showbusiness is mourning the loss of Toni Lamond on Saturday after she died at the age of 93
Toni had a plethora of talents across musical comedy, dramatic plays, recordings, film, television and cabaret. Pictured in 1986
‘A list of TV, stage and movie credits as long as your arm – both here and overseas. Fun fact – she was the first woman in the world to host a Tonight Show.
‘She won a Logie & performed on the opening night telecast of GTV 9. Her son Tony Sheldon continues the family showbiz dynasty.’
Toni had a plethora of talents across musical comedy, dramatic plays, recordings, film, television and cabaret.
Her first starring role was in 1952 alongside Tommy Trinder during The Tommy Trinder Show.
She took to the stage for productions of Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pajama Game, Gypsy, 42nd Street, and The Pirates of Penzance, among many others.
As for TV, her credits include iconic hits like The Graham Kennedy Show, Bandstand, Murder She Wrote, The Bob Newhart Show, Starsky & Hutch and Denise.
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 are also credited to her.
Toni also starred in The Love Boat, Highway to Heaven, Eight Is Enough, Punky Brewster, The Pirates of Penzance and the films Spotswood and Razzle Dazzle.
Her son, Tony Sheldon, shared several photos to Instagram of his famous mother
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share his heartbreak over the loss
She was previously married to performer Frank Sheldon in 1954, but tragedy struck when he died by suicide in 1966 while she was performing Oliver.
Producers famously made her perform the night after his funeral.
Toni later jetted off to the US in the 1970s to live in Los Angeles, working between America and her home country of Australia for many years.
Her accolades are numerous, with Logie Awards, Mo Awards, and Variety Club Awards all with her name on them.
She also earned the Helpmann Awards Lifetime Achievement, Equity Lifetime Achievement Award, and Centenary Medal for Service to the Arts Community.
The Victorian Honour Roll of Women and an Order of Australia for Service to the Entertainment Industry are also credited to Toni.
