Jess Conrad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jess Conrad
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|---|---|
Conrad in 2017
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| Born |
Gerald Arthur James
24 February 1936 |
| Occupation | Actor, singer |
| Spouse(s) |
Renee Bergman
(m. 1963) |
| Children | 2 |
Jess Conrad (born Gerald Arthur James on 24 February 1936) is an English actor and singer who became a pop star in the 1960s.
As a boy, his friends nicknamed him "Jesse" after the American outlaw Jesse James. When he started acting, there was already another actor named Gerald James. A teacher suggested he use the last name "Conrad" after the writer Joseph Conrad, creating his stage name, Jess Conrad.
Contents
Career
Becoming a Pop Star
Jess Conrad was born in Brixton, South London. He began his career as an actor in local theaters and as a film extra. His big break came when he was cast as a pop singer in a TV play.
A producer named Jack Good saw the play and invited Conrad to appear on his popular music show, Oh Boy!. This led to a record deal with Decca Records. Conrad soon had several hit songs, including "Cherry Pie", "This Pullover", "Mystery Girl", and "Pretty Jenny".
Acting in Movies and TV
Between the late 1950s and mid-1960s, Conrad starred in many films. Some of his movies from this time include The Boys, Rag Doll, and Konga. He also appeared in an episode of the TV series The Human Jungle in 1963.
During the 1970s, he performed in famous stage musicals like Godspell and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He also made a fun appearance in the Sex Pistols movie The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle.
In 1984, Conrad played Raymond Starr in the TV series Miss Marple, in a story called The Body in the Library. He continued to appear on television, including on game shows like The Generation Game and Big Break in the 1990s.
Later Work
Conrad has continued to act in recent years. In 2005, he had a guest role in the popular sitcom Last of the Summer Wine.
In the 2009 film Telstar: The Joe Meek Story, about the life of record producer Joe Meek, Conrad was played by actor Nigel Harman. Conrad himself appeared in the film in two different roles, including playing the famous music manager Larry Parnes.
More recently, he appeared in the BBC soap opera Doctors in 2022. In 2023, he filmed a leading role in a movie called Somebody's Daughter.
Awards and Personal Life
Conrad is a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, a special club for people in the entertainment business. He was once the leader of the group, known as the "King Rat".
In 2011, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen for his work with charities.
Conrad is married to his wife Renee, and they have two children. He has said that the actress Diana Dors was the best friend he ever had.
Selected Songs and Films
Popular Songs
- "Cherry Pie" (1960)
- "Mystery Girl" (1961)
- "This Pullover" (1961)
- "Every Breath I Take" (1961)
Notable Films
- Konga (1961)
- The Boys (1962)
- The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980)
- Absolute Beginners (1986)
- Telstar: The Joe Meek Story (2008)
