Kim Milford

Kim Milford

Kim Milford in 1972
Born Richard Kim Milford
(1951-02-07)February 7, 1951
Glen Ridge, New Jersey, United States
Died June 16, 1988(1988-06-16) (aged 37)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Cause of death Heart failure
Education New Trier High School
Occupation Actor, singer-songwriter, composer
Relatives Penelope Milford (sister)

Richard Kim Milford (February 7, 1951 – June 16, 1988), known professionally as Kim Milford, was an American actor, singer-songwriter, and composer. He is known for his acting in musicals such as The Rocky Horror Show and Jesus Christ Superstar.[1]

Early years

Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Milford grew up in Winnetka, Illinois. He had an older sister, Penelope who later became an actress.[2] Milford attended New Trier High School.

Career

Acting

Milford first appeared at the stock theatre in Chicago at age 10. Age 17 he was in the original stage version of Hair on Broadway, playing Woof and Claude. In 1976 he was awarded the Faith and Freedom Award by the Religious Heritage of America for his portrayal of the Prodigal Son in ABC Directories series Round Trip. Milford later performed in the first concert tour of Jesus Christ Superstar playing Jesus and Judas. He also appeared in the original American production of The Rocky Horror Show as Rocky with the Los Angeles Roxy Cast and in the Broadway production. He reprised his role in the 1980 North American Tour production. He also appeared in the plays Henry Sweet Henry (1967), Your Own Thing, Rockabye Hamlet (1975–76, Laertes), More Than You Deserve, Sunset, and All Bets Off.

In addition to stage work, Milford appeared in the 1975 television movies Song of the Succubus (with Brooke Adams) and Rock-a-Die-Baby (also known as Night of the Full Moon) in which he performed music with his band Moon. During the 1970s and 1980s he had guest roles on The Mod Squad and Mannix and The Highwayman, and starred in the 1978 feature films Laserblast and Corvette Summer.[1] He also had a recurring role as Tommy on the soap opera "Secret Storm".

Music

Milford briefly became vocalist for Beck, Bogert & Appice for six performances between July 24 to August 7, 1972.[3] He was also the front man for his own band "Moon" who were co-writers on songs such as, "Lovin' Lady", "Jo Anna" and "She's Puttin' Me Through Changes". According to an interview in Viva,[4] Milford recorded an album Chain Your Lovers to the Bedposts and a single, "Help is on the Way, Rozea" released in 1974. He recorded the single "Muddy River Water" for (Decca Records), the Sunset soundtrack and appeared on the Roxy cast album of Rocky Horror Show.

Milford composed the music for Salome, based on the Oscar Wilde play and also starred in it at Mark Taper Forum, in Los Angeles in 1979. He wrote and performed "My Love is a Rebel" on the soundtrack of Limbo, starring Barry Bostwick. His song "Justice" appeared on the Ciao! Manhattan soundtrack.

Death

On June 16, 1988, Milford died of heart failure following open heart surgery several weeks earlier. He was 37 years old.[2]

Discography

Albums

Rocky Horror Show

Singles

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1971 The Mod Squad Episode: "Kicks Incorporated"
1974 Mannix Singer Episode: "Portrait in Blues"
1975 Rock-A-Die, Baby Television movie
1975 Song of the Succubus Television movie
1975 Sunshine Eric Episode: "Leave It to Weaver"
1978 Laserblast Billy Duncan
1978 Corvette Summer Wayne Lowry Alternative title: The Hot One
1978 Bloodbrothers Butler Alternative title: A Father's Love
1986 Crime Story Babe Petro 2 episodes
1986 Wired to Kill Rooster Alternative title: Booby Trap
1988 Nightmare at Noon Albino's Henchman Alternative title: Death Street USA
1990 Escape Zoka Released posthumously

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Kim Milford". The New York Times.
  2. 1 2 Simmonds, Jeremy (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. p. 235. ISBN 1-55652-754-3.
  3. ↑ Hjort and Hinman. Jeff's book: A Chronology of Jeff Beck's Career 1965-1980. pp. 122–123. ISBN 0-96410-053-3.
  4. ↑ Viva, October edition 1974
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/5/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.