| Kim Milford | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard Kim Milford February 7, 1951 Glen Ridge, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | June 16, 1988 (aged 37) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, vocalist, singer-songwriter and composer |
Richard Kim Milford (February 7, 1951 – June 16, 1988) was an American actor, singer-songwriter, and composer. He is best known for his acting in musicals such as The Rocky Horror Show and Jesus Christ Superstar. Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Milford grew up in Winnetka, Illinois where he attended New Trier High School. His sister is actress Penelope Milford and brother Doug is the co-owner of Artsystems.
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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 Mannix and The Highwayman, and starred in the 1978 feature films Laserblast and Corvette Summer.
Milford briefly became vocalist for Beck, Bogert & Appice for six performances between July 24 to August 7, 1972.[1] 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,[2] Milford recorded an album Chain Your Lovers to the Bedposts and a single, "Help is on the Way, Rozea". 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 as 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.
On June 16, 1988, Milford died of heart failure following open heart surgery several weeks earlier. He was 37 years old.[3]
Rocky Horror Show
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1978 | Laserblast | Billy Duncan | |
| Corvette Summer | Wayne Lowry | Alternative title: The Hot One | |
| Bloodbrothers | Butler | Alternative title: A Father's Love | |
| 1986 | Wired to Kill | Rooster | Alternative title: Booby Trap |
| 1988 | Nightmare at Noon | Albino's Henchman | Alternative title: Death Street USA |
| 1990 | Escape | Zoka | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1971 | The Mod Squad | 1 episode | |
| 1974 | Mannix | Singer | 1 episode |
| 1975 | Rock-A-Die, Baby | Television movie | |
| Song of the Succubus | Television movie | ||
| Sunshine | Eric | 1 episode | |
| 1986 | Crime Story | Babe Petro | 2 episodes |
| 1988 | The Highwayman | Cotten | 1 episode |