Lon Satton

Lon Satton (born Alonzo Louis Lee Staton; February 11, 1927 – October 30, 2020) was an American singer and actor based in the United Kingdom. He is widely known for originating the role of Poppa in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Starlight Express, for which Satton received a 1984 Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. He is sometimes credited as Lonnie Sattin.

Early life One of nine children, Satton was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1927, the son of Church of God in Christ minister C. T. Staton. His family moved to Philadelphia at an early age. Satton attended Temple University, and initially considered following in his father's footsteps as an evangelist, but developed an interest in entertainment after winning a singing contest. In 1977, he acted in Loften Mitchell's musical Bubbling Brown Sugar in London. He sang the Henry Mancini-Leslie Bricusse song "Move ‘Em Out" in 1978's Revenge of the Pink Panther.

Arguably his best known role was as Ramblin' Poppa McCoy in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Starlight Express, which satton continuously played from the show's opening in 1984 until 1996. His performance earned him an Olivier Award nomination for an Best Actor in a Musical.

Personal life Satton had two children with his wife, actress Tina Sattin. His cousin was jazz singer Dakota Staton.

Filmography

Film 1968: For Love of Ivy – Harry 1970: The Invincible Six – Mike 1970: Hello-Goodbye – Cole Strutter 1971: Welcome to the Club – Marshall Bowles 1972: Steptoe and Son – Pianist 1973: Live and Let Die – Harold Strutter 1978: Revenge of the Pink Panther – Sam Spade and the Private Eyes No. 1 1990: The March – Jack Harris

Television 1969: One Life to Live – Lieutenant Jack Neal 1975: Space 1999 – Benjamin Ouma (1 episode) 1975: Quiller – Jim Lane (2 episodes) 1994: The Lenny Henry Show – Chief of police (1 episode)