Colm Wilkinson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Colm Wilkinson
Wilkinson performing in 2007 in Ontario, Canada
Background information
Also known as	C. T. Wilkinson
Born	(1944-06-05) 5 June 1944 (age 81) Drimnagh, Ireland
Genres	Rock opera Broadway theatre musical theatre folk rock
Occupation(s)	Singer actor
Years active	1972–present

Colm Wilkinson (born 5 June 1944) is a famous Irish singer and actor. He is also known as C. T. Wilkinson. He is most famous for playing the main character, Jean Valjean, in the musical Les Misérables in London and on Broadway. He also created the role of The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera for its first Canadian show.

Because he is so well-known for these musicals, he has performed as Jean Valjean in special concerts. These include the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert and the 25th Anniversary Concert. He also appeared in The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall celebration. His songs "The Music of the Night" from Phantom and "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables are loved worldwide. Fans often ask him to sing these songs at his concerts.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Colm Wilkinson was born in Drimnagh, Ireland, in 1944. He was one of ten children. His home was always full of singing, poetry, and music. Both of his parents were talented musicians. His mother was a singer and enjoyed acting in plays. His father played the banjo and mandolin.

Colm worked with his father, who was an asphalt contractor. At the same time, he played in bands part-time. When he was 16, he went on a music tour to the United States. Soon after, he decided to become a full-time musician.

Colm Wilkinson's Career Journey

Starting in Musicals

After playing in several Irish bands, Colm Wilkinson got a big break in 1972. He was cast as Judas Iscariot in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar in Dublin. He later played this role in London and on a tour across Britain.

In 1976, he sang the part of Che on the first recording for the musical Evita. Instead of trying out for the stage show, Colm decided to start his own career as a singer and songwriter. He also sang as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde on the first recording for the musical Jekyll and Hyde.

Solo Music and Eurovision

By 1977, Colm released his own album, called Colm C.T. Wilkinson. It was a huge success in Ireland, staying at Number 1 on the charts for eight weeks.

After his successful album, Colm started preparing for singing competitions. This led to him representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1978. He sang the song "Born to Sing" and finished in fifth place.

In 1984, Colm starred in a musical called Voices. This show was about the life of Joan of Arc.

Becoming a Broadway Star

In 1985, Colm worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber again. He was the first to play The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera during its early workshops. He was offered the role for the show's first performance in London. However, he chose instead to play Jean Valjean in Les Misérables.

The London show of Les Misérables opened in October 1985. It then moved to Broadway in New York City in March 1987. At first, an American actors' group did not want Colm to play Valjean in New York. This was because they usually only hired American actors. But the show's producer, Cameron Mackintosh, insisted that Colm play the role. So, Colm took the lead part. He won several awards for his performance, including the Helen Hayes Award.

In 1989, Colm moved his family to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was offered the main role in the first Toronto production of The Phantom of the Opera. He has lived in Toronto ever since and became a Canadian citizen.

Colm played Valjean again in Toronto from 1998 to 1999. He also returned to the role in Dublin, Ireland, and later in Shanghai, China. In 1995, he performed as Jean Valjean in the 10th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at the Royal Albert Hall.

Later Career and Special Performances

In 2007, Colm went on a concert tour across Canada called Broadway and Beyond. He performed with other singers like Susan Gilmour.

Colm also acted in the TV miniseries The Tudors in 2009. He played the part of Lord Darcy.

He performed at a birthday celebration for U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy in Washington, D.C., in 2009. He also sang at Senator Kennedy's memorial service. In May 2009, Colm performed at the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C. This concert was shown live across America on PBS.

In January 2010, Colm released a solo album called Broadway and Beyond: The Concert Songs. His previous album, "Some of My Best Friends Are Songs," came out in 2002. On that album, he sang a duet with his son Aaron.

On 3 October 2010, Colm was a special guest at the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at the O2 Arena in London. He sang as part of a "Valjean Quartet" with three other actors who had played Jean Valjean.

A year later, in October 2011, he appeared at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of The Phantom of the Opera at The Royal Albert Hall.

Colm is a founding artist of Theatre 20, a musical theatre company in Toronto. He performed in their concert series in 2011.

In 2012, Colm Wilkinson appeared in the film version of Les Misérables. He played the role of the Bishop of Digne. He also played this role in a stage performance of the musical in Toronto in 2014.

Rolling Stone Magazine readers once voted Colm Wilkinson as one of the five greatest singers ever. He is known for keeping his powerful singing voice even in his late 60s. He says his secret is avoiding coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, and dairy products. He also makes sure to get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise. He is also known for speaking softly to avoid overworking his voice.

Personal Life

In 1970, Colm Wilkinson married Deirdre. He says she has been a huge support for him over the years. They started their married life in Bray, Ireland. They have four children: Aaron, Judith, Sarah, and Simon. They have a home in Wicklow, Ireland, but mostly live in Canada now.

The family moved to Toronto in 1989 when Colm started his long run as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. Their children have grown up to have interesting careers. Judith is a curator, Simon and Sarah are graphic designers, and Aaron is a singer/songwriter. Early in his career, Colm always made sure his wife and children traveled with him on tour. This helped them stay together as a family.

Music Albums

Solo Albums

• Colm C.T. Wilkinson (1977)
• Stage Heroes (1989)
• Some Of My Best Friends Are Songs (2002)
• Broadway and Beyond: The Concert Songs (2010)

Cast Albums

• Evita (1976)
• Les Miserables (1985 London Cast)
• Les Misérables (1987 Broadway Cast)
• Highlights From Jekyll and Hyde (1990)
• Phantom of the Opera (1990 Canadian Cast)

Film and TV Appearances

Awards and Recognition

• He received the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage from the Philosophical Society of Trinity College Dublin in 2018.

Honorary Degrees

Location	Date	School	Degree	Gave Speech
Ontario	October 2012	Ryerson University	Doctor of Laws (LL.D)	Yes