Tommy Steele Born: Dec 17, 1936 in London, England, UK Occupation: Actor, Active: '50s-'70s Major Genres: Musical, Comedy Career Highlights: Finian's Rainbow, Half a Sixpence, The Happiest Millionaire First Major Screen Credit: Rock Around the World (1957)
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Biography:
England's first rock 'n' roll star, London-born Tommy Steele held down several jobs before forming a skiffle trio with future Oliver composer Lionel Bart and Mike Pratt. While performing for shillings-and-pence at the 2I Coffee Club, Steele was discovered by agent Larry Parnes. Thanks to Parnes' tireless promotional efforts, Steele quickly rose to R 'n' R Valhalla with such hits as Singing the Blues, Water Water and Shiralee. He made his film debut in 1956, and within a year was starring in his own biopic, The Tommy Steele Story (U.S. title: Rock Around the World). Eventually outgrowing the Britain's Elvis tag, Steele branched out to the legitimate stage in 1960. His best theatrical showing was the title role in Half a Sixpence, a 1963 musical adaptation of H.G. Wells' Kipps. During the 1960s, Steele played to SRO houses in London and Vegas, and was starred in several American-financed movie musicals, including The Happiest Millionaire (1967), Half a Sixpence (1968) and Finian's Rainbow (1968). Though he hasn't made a film since 1969, Steele has kept busy with theatrical revues, club dates and TV specials. In 1974, Tommy Steele wrote his autobiography, {~My Life, My Songs}. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide.
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