Kim Milford
Kim Milford | |
|---|---|
 Kim Milford in 1972 | |
| Born | Richard Kim Milford February 7, 1951 Glen Ridge, New Jersey, United States |
| Died | June 16, 1988 (aged 37) |
| Cause of death | Heart failure |
| Education | New Trier High School |
| Occupation(s) | 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
- Chain Your Lovers to the Bedposts
Rocky Horror Show
- Rocky Horror Show Original Los Angeles Cast (1974)
- Rocky Horror Picture Show 15th Anniversary (1990)
- Rocky Horror Collection Original Soundtrack (1997)
- Rocky Horror Collection Original Soundtrack (2005)
Singles
- "Help is on the Way, Rozea"
- "Muddy River Water"
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
- ^ a b "Kim Milford". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Simmonds, Jeremy (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. p. 235. ISBN 1-55652-754-3.
- ^ Hjort and Hinman. Jeff's book: A Chronology of Jeff Beck's Career 1965-1980. pp. 122–123. ISBN 0-96410-053-3.
- ^ Viva, October edition 1974
External links
- 1951 births
- 1988 deaths
- New Trier High School alumni
- People from Glen Ridge, New Jersey
- People from Winnetka, Illinois
- Male actors from New Jersey
- Male actors from Illinois
- Singers from Illinois
- 20th-century American singers
- 20th-century American male actors
- American male child actors
- American male dancers
- American male film actors
- American male musical theatre actors
- American male singer-songwriters
- American male television actors
- American musical theatre composers
- American rock guitarists
- American rock singers
- American rock songwriters
- American male songwriters