Toni Lamond

Patricia Lamond Lawman AM (29 March 1932 – 29 November 2025), known professionally as Toni Lamond, was an Australian vaudevillian, cabaret performer, singer, actress, dancer, comedian, writer and television and radio personality. She had a successful career spanning over eight decades, both locally and internationally, including in the United Kingdom and United States.

Lamond, who came from a family involved in the performing arts, started her career as a child actor in variety entertainment aged ten and was the first woman in the world to host a midday show; the second was her younger half-sister Helen Reddy.

Life and career Early life Lamond was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on 29 March 1932, to vaudevillian, actress and comedian Stella Lamond (1909–1973), who appeared in guesting parts in early TV shows like Homicide and Bellbird and actor father Joe Lawman. She learned to tap-dance at 8 and began her professional career aged 10 when she sang on the radio while touring with her vaudevillian parents in variety shows.

Theatre and variety Lamond worked on the Tivoli Theatre circuit, the Brennan-Fuller Vaudeville Circuit and J. C. Williamson's and was a staple of touring mainstream theatre since 1951.

Her first stage performances were at the Tivoli Theatre in Sydney.

She also starred in Australian productions of Oliver!, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pajama Game, and Gypsy: A Musical Fable.

Lamond was given the nickname 'Lolly-Legs' by entertainer Noel Ferrier, who stated she had the "second best legs in the industry" when she featured on In Melbourne Tonight. She compèred her own IMT, becoming the first woman in the world to compère a variety television show in 1961, repeating the role the following year. She also appeared in films, telemovies, and features such as the 2007 mockumentary Razzle Dazzle: A Journey Into Dance.

International career, recordings and stage Lamond travelled to the United Kingdom, where, in a similar vein to entertainer Lorrae Desmond, she appeared in the British night club and cabaret circuit and on BBC-TV, a programme called "First Night" (broadcast on the first night of the ITV franchise holder Yorkshire Television in 1968), and BBC Radio. She also recorded two singles in London for record label Philips.

In the mid-1970s, Lamond moved to Los Angeles, where she appeared in musicals and television shows. She debuted on the New York stage with a production Cabaret at the age of 67. On her return to Australia in the mid-1990s, she performed in shows including 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, and My Fair Lady.

In April–May 2008, she appeared in an autobiographical one-woman show, Times of My Life (co-written with her son Tony Sheldon), at the Seymour Centre in Sydney.

Publications Lamond wrote several autobiographical books, including First Half (1990), Along the Way (2002), and Still a Gypsy (2007). The first book went to the top of the bestseller list in eight days.

In July 2010, Lamond was a headline act in the inaugural Melbourne Cabaret Festival.

Notable work Lamond joined the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra with Trisha Crowe, Michael Falzon, Amanda Harrison, Lucy Maunder, Andy Conaghan, and others to record I Dreamed a Dream: The Hit Songs of Broadway for ABC Classics, released on 21 June 2013. Lamond sang "Send in the Clowns" from Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music.

Personal life and death

Lamond through her mother was the half-sister to the late singer Helen Reddy, whom she raised as a surrogate mother while their parents were performing.

Lamond married performer Frank Sheldon in 1954; however, in 1966, shortly after a separation, he took his own life. Her son is actor and writer Tony Sheldon.

An addiction to prescription drugs followed, and she was a patient at Chelmsford Private Hospital, where she underwent deep sleep therapy. She overcame and publicly discussed the issue in an episode of The Mike Walsh Show, becoming one of the first Australian media personalities to do so.

Lamond died on 29 November 2025 in Sydney, Australia, at the age of 93.

Filmography Film YearTitleRoleType 1987 Running from the Guns Davie's Mum Feature film 1989 How Wonderful! Kerry's Mum TV movie 1991 Spotswood (aka The Efficiency Expert) Mrs. Lorna Ball Feature film 1994 The Pirates of Penzance Ruth TV movie 2007 Razzle Dazzle Sherry Leonard Feature film

Television YearTitleRoleType 1972 Number 96 Karen Winters TV series, 10 episodes 1973 The True Blue Show Various characters TV series, episode 5 1974 Division 4 Janie Gibson TV series, 1 episode 1974 Mac and Merle TV series 1975 The Unisexers Mrs. Lewis TV series (recurring role) 1977 Starsky & Hutch Ruth Willoughby TV series (US), 1 episode 1977 The Bob Newhart Show Mrs. Doris Peterson TV series (US), 1 episode 1979 Eight Is Enough Mrs. Dreissen TV series (US), 1 episode 1982 Three's Company Patient TV series (US), 1 episode 1984 Punky Brewster Stage Manager TV series (US), 1 episode 1985 The Love Boat Mrs. Burton TV series (US), 1 episode 1986 Murder, She Wrote Ad-Lib Woman TV series (US), 1 episode 1986 The Last Frontier Auntie Dier TV miniseries, 2 episodes 1987 Starman Edna TV series (US), 1 episode 1987 The Tortellis Mrs Hamilton TV series (US), 1 episode 1987 Highway to Heaven Maggie (as Tony Lamond) TV series (US), 1 episode 1992 Fish Police Voice Animated TV series (US), 1 episode 1992 Capitol Critters Voice Animated TV series (US), 1 episode 1997 Fallen Angels Irene Lucas TV series, 1 episode

Television (as self) YearTitleRoleType 1967 I'm Alright Now Herseif TV series 1952 The Tommy Trinder Show Guest TV series UK, 1 episode 1958 Personal Album Herself TV series, 1 episode 1959–60 BP Super Show Comedian TV series, 3 episodes 1959–70 In Melbourne Tonight Guest TV series, 6 episodes 1960 Be My Guest Guest TV series, 1 episode 1960–65 Graham Kennedy's Channel 9 Show Regular guest performer TV series 1962 The 3rd Annual Logie Awards Winner TV special 1966 Jimmy Guest TV series, 3 episodes 1968 First Night Guest performer TV Special (UK) 1969 Bandstand Guest performer TV series, 1 episode 1969 Show of the North Guest TV series (UK), 1 episode 1969; 1975 The Don Lane Show Guest TV series, 2 episodes 1972 Kamahl Guest TV series, 1 episode 1972–75 The Graham Kennedy Show Guest TV series, 5 episodes 1974 The Bert Newton Show Guest performer TV series, 1 episode 1978; 1979 The Mike Douglas Show Guest performer TV series US, 2 episodes 1978 This Is Your Life Special guest TV series, 1 episode: "Toni Lamond" 1978 The Mike Walsh Show Guest TV series, 1 episode 1981 Channel Nine Celebrates: 25 Years of Television Herself (archive clips from In Melbourne Tonight) TV special 1982 The Mike Walsh Show Guest (with son Tony Sheldon) TV series, 1 episode 1982 Parkinson in Australia Guest TV series, 2 episodes 1983; 1984 The Mike Walsh Show Guest TV series, 2 episodes 1986 Star Search Guest judge TV series, 1 episode 1987 The Tortellis Guest role: Mrs. Hamilton TV series (US), 1 episode 1989 The Bert Newton Show Guest performer TV series, 1 episode 1989; 1990 In Melbourne Today Guest (with Tony Sheldon) TV series, 2 episodes 1989 Turn onto Tap Presenter Video 1990 Hey Hey It's Saturday Herself TV series, 1 episode ("Red Faces" segment) 1992 The Morning Show Guest TV series, 1 episode 1994 At Home Guest TV series, 1 episode 1996 Good Morning Australia Guest TV series, 1 episode 1998 Good Morning Australia Guest (with Tony Sheldon) TV series, 1 episode 1998 Denise Guest (with Tony Sheldon) TV series, 1 episode 1999; Good Morning Australia Guest performer (singing "Breezin' Along with the Breeze" with Helen Reddy) TV series, 1 episode 1999 Good Morning Australia Guest performer (singing "The Place That I'll Call Home") TV series, 1 episode 2002 Good Morning Australia Guest performer (singing "I'm Still Here") TV series, 1 episode 2003 This Is Your Life: Helen Reddy Guest performer (singing "Best Friend" with Helen Reddy) TV series, 1 episode 2004 Good Morning Australia Guest performer (singing "St Louis Blues" with Tony Sheldon) TV series, 1 episode 2005 Graham Kennedy: Farewell to the King Guest performer (singing "I Believe in You") TV special 2005 Good Morning Australia Guest TV series, 1 episode 2005 Talking Heads Guest TV series, 1 episode 2005–2009 Spicks and Specks Guest TV series, 5 episodes 2005 50 Years 50 Shows Herself TV Special 2005 Sunday Afternoon Herself & Stuart Wagstaff (June Bronhill Tribute) ABC TV series, 1 episode 2007 Bert's Family Feud Contestant (with Noeline Brown, Val Jellay & Val Lehman) TV series, 1 episode 2009 The Real Graham Kennedy Herself ABC TV Special 2010 Lights! Camera! Party! Television City Celebrates Herself TV special 2011 Helpmann Awards Special guest - recipient of JC Williamson Award for Lifetime Achievement (with Jill Perryman & Nancye Hayes) TV special 2015–17 Stop Laughing...This Is Serious Herself TV series, 3 episodes 2018 The Recording Studio Herself TV series, 1 episode

Theatre YearTitleRoleType 1951 Gay Fiesta / Mother Goose Theatre Royal, Adelaide 1952–53 The Tommy Trinder Show Actor / Singer Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Theatre Royal, Adelaide, Tivoli Theatre, Sydney 1952 By Request Soubrette Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne 1952 Cinderella Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne 1957 The Pajama Game Babe Williams His Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Empire Theatre, Sydney, Theatre Royal, Adelaide with J. C. Williamson's 1959 For Amusement Only Self / Singer Theatre Royal, Sydney with J. C. Williamson's 1963 Wildcat Wildcat Jackson Princess Theatre, Melbourne with Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust 1966 Oliver! Nancy Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Theatre Royal, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Canberra Theatre, Tivoli Theatre, Sydney with J. C. Williamson's 1971 Anything Goes Reno Sweeney Richbrooke Theatre, Sydney 1973 Expresso Bongo SGIO Theatre, Brisbane with Queensland Theatre Company 1975 Gypsy Mama Rose Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney with J. C. Williamson's 1977 Annie Get Your Gun Annie Oakley Adelaide Festival Centre Carry On Laughing Bournemouth, UK 1978–82 Annie Sophie / the Kettle / Mrs. Pugh / Perkins / Miss Hannigan (understudy] Broadway, New York (second national tour) Hello, Dolly! Dolly Gallagher Levi (understudy for Yvonne De Carlo) Grand Dinner Theater, Anaheim Mame USA 42nd Street USA Oliver! USA Female Transport USA An Evening with Woody Allen USA Nunsense USA 1985 Sherlock's Last Case Mrs. Hudson New Mayfair Theatre, Santa Monica 1985 Madonna and Child Self / singer Off Broadway Theatre, Sydney (with son, Tony Sheldon) 1986 The Mystery of Edwin Drood Princess Puffer Sacramento Music Circus, California 1989; 1992–93 42nd Street Maggie Jones Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane, Festival Theatre, Adelaide, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne 1991 Cabaret Fraulein Schneider Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA 1992 Legends at the Tilbury Hotel Singer Tilbury Hotel, Sydney for Sydney Festival 1992 Better Known as Bee Q Theatre, Penrith 1992 A Life in Show Business Solo show / Self La Boite Theatre, Brisbane 1993 Follies Hattie State Theatre, Melbourne 1994 Legends Singer Sydney Opera House 1994 The Pirates of Penzance Ruth Lyric Theatre, Brisbane, State Theatre, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Newcastle Civic Theatre, Canberra Theatre with Essgee Entertainment (also in 1994 TV movie version) 1995 Woman on the Move Solo show / Singer Glen Street Theatre, Sydney, Tilbury Hotel, Sydney 1996 My Fair Lady Mrs Pearce Lyric Theatre, Brisbane with Victorian State Opera 1996 Gala Re-Opening of the Regent Theatre Artistic performer (guest) Regent Theatre, Melbourne 1996 Beauty and the Beast Madame de le Grande Bouche Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney 1998 Follies Sally Durant Plummer Sydney Opera House with Sydney Symphony Orchestra for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 1998 Dream Kitchen Betty / solo show Universal Theatre, Melbourne 1998 The 4th Canberra Area Theatre Awards Singer Playhouse, Canberra 1999 Oh, Coward! Marian Street Theatre, Sydney with Northside Theatre Company 1999 Careful, He Might Hear You Lila Baines Acton Street Theatre 2001; 2002 Toni Lamond: Full of Life Solo show / Singer Cafe 9, Sydney, Top of the Cross, Canberra, Woodfire Cabaret Restaurant, Sydney, Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide with East Coast Theatre Company 2001 The 7th Annual Duesburys Canberra Area Theatre Awards Playhouse, Canberra 2002 The 2nd Helpmann Awards 2002 The Star, Sydney 2002 Hot Spots Banquet Room, Adelaide for Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2002 The 8th Annual Duesburys Canberra Area Theatre Awards Patron Playhouse, Canberra 2003 Stage Door The Basement, Sydney 2003 Not New Years Eve Singer Sydney Opera House with Willoughby Symphony Choir & Australian Philharmonic Orchestra 2003 New Year's Eve & the Night Before Singer Melbourne Concert Hall with Australian Philharmonic Orchestra & Australian Pops Orchestra 2004 High Society Mother Lord State Theatre, Melbourne with Orchestra Victoria & The Production Company 2004 Morning Melodies Brolga Theatre, Maryborough 2004 The 10th Walter Turnbull Canberra Area Theatre Awards Canberra Theatre 2005 Shout Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide 2006 Telstra Country Wide Canberra Area Theatre Awards 2005 Canberra Theatre 2006 Kookaburra Launch Concert Singer Lyric Theatre, Sydney 2006 The Full Monty The Street Theatre 2006–08 Times of My Life Solo show / Singer Australian tour 2007 Toni Lamond – Still Full of Life Solo show / Singer Ford Theatre, Geelong, Frankston Arts Centre 2007; 2008 Ozmade Musicals Concert Singer Melbourne Athenaeum 2008 A Musical Send Off Singer Capitol Theatre, Sydney 2009 The Burlesque Hour - Legends! Singer Fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne 2010 The Burlesque Hour: She's Back Singer Acton Street Theatre 2010 Love, Loss, and What I Wore Various roles Sydney Opera House 2019 Showqueen Singer Sydney Cabaret Festival

Publications YearTitleType 1990 First Half Autobiography 2002 Along the Way Autobiography 2007 Still a Gypsy Autobiography 1976 Cooking When You're Broke

Awards and honours Association Award Year Results Logie Awards Most Popular Victorian Personality 1962 Variety Club of Australia Award Entertainment Award Mo Award Entertainment Award Government honour Key to the City of Melbourne 1993 List of Woman Shaping the Nation 2000 Government of Australia Centenary Medal for Service to the Arts Community 2001 Victoria State Government Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2001 Australian Government Order of Australia (AM) for Service to the Entertainment Industry and service to the community through fundraising, including the Guide Dog Association of NSW and Canberra 2003 Helpmann Awards JC Williamson Award Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to the Live Performance sector and Theatre 2011 Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance Equity Sector Lifetime Achievement Award 2014

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Actors Equity president Simon Burke said: "Toni is a truly legendary Australian performer whose phenomenal career has spanned vaudeville, musical theatre, television, and cabaret. She is also a wonderful human being who has given back to her community, to her colleagues, and to her industry in every way she can."