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 OBE (born Gerald Arthur James; 24 February 1936) is an English actor and singer. He became famous in the late 1950s and 1960s.
When he was a boy, people called him "Jesse" after the famous American outlaw Jesse James. Later, when he started acting, there was already an actor named Gerald James. So, a drama teacher who liked the writer Joseph Conrad suggested the stage name "Jess Conrad."
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About Jess Conrad
Jess Conrad was born in Brixton, South London. He started his career acting in plays and as an extra in films. An extra is someone who appears in the background of a movie scene.
He got his big break when he played a pop singer in a TV play called Bye, Bye Barney. A TV producer named Jack Good noticed him and put him on his TV show Oh Boy!.
Music Career
After his TV appearance, Jess Conrad signed with Decca Records. He had several popular songs, including "Cherry Pie", "This Pullover", "Mystery Girl", and "Pretty Jenny". He also recorded music for other record companies like Columbia and EMI.
In the 1970s, some of his songs were mentioned in a fun, light-hearted list called the 'World's Worst Record'. His song "This Pullover" was even voted the sixth worst song ever by listeners of a radio show!
Acting Career
Jess Conrad appeared in many films between the late 1950s and mid-1960s. Some of these films include The Boys, Rag Doll, and Konga. He also acted in Michael Powell's The Queen's Guards.
He spent time performing in stage musicals like Godspell and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He also had a small role in the Sex Pistols film The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle.
Jess Conrad appeared in many TV shows. He was in an episode of Are You Being Served and played Raymond Starr in the 1984 TV series of Miss Marple.
In the 1990s, he often made guest appearances on Jim Davidson's TV show The Generation Game. He also had a guest role in the sitcom Last of the Summer Wine in 2005.
Jess Conrad has also appeared in documentaries and other TV programmes. In the 2009 film Telstar: The Joe Meek Story, which is about a record producer, Jess Conrad is played by actor Nigel Harman. Jess Conrad himself also appears in the film, playing a different role as Larry Parnes. In 2016, he acted in the film Mob Handed as a judge. More recently, in October 2022, he appeared in the BBC soap opera Doctors. In 2023, he filmed a main role in a movie called Somebody's Daughter.
Awards and Recognition
Jess Conrad is a member of a show business group called the Grand Order of Water Rats. This group is known for its charity work, and Jess Conrad has even served as their "King Rat," which is a leadership role.
He is also a Freemason, which is a member of a social and charitable organization.
In 2011, Jess Conrad was given a special award called an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award was given to him by the Queen for his charitable services, meaning for all the good work he did helping others. In 2018, he appeared in the ITV show Last Laugh in Vegas.
Personal Life
Jess Conrad is married to Renee. They have two daughters named Sasha and Natalie. He once said that the actress Diana Dors was "the best friend I ever had."
Selected Songs
Jess Conrad released many songs throughout his career. Here are a few examples:
- "Cherry Pie" (1960)
- "Mystery Girl" (1961)
- "This Pullover" (1961)
- "Every Breath I Take" (1961)
Images for kids
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Conrad in 2017
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Conrad in 2014
