Ridgely McClure "Ridge" Bond (July , â€" May , ) was an American
actor, singer and businessman, who is best known for playing the role
of Curly in the musical Oklahoma! on Broadway and on tour. He retired
from acting when the musical closed in , and entered the insurance
business.Bond was born in McAlester, Oklahoma. He attended the
University of Tulsa, where he played a leading role in the play Green
Grow the Lilacs, which was later adapted as Oklahoma!. He served in
the U.S. Navy in World War II. After his discharge, he joined the
Broadway cast of Oklahoma! in , soon taking over as Curly for Howard
Keel, and, according to Deseret News, he played the role of Curly for
the longest period of any actor during the original Broadway
production. He then toured with the show and played the role in the
and Broadway revivals. He reportedly performed this role , times
during his career. He was also the only Oklahoma native to play the
role.In , Bond was instrumental in assisting Oklahoma state
representative (and later Governor) George Nigh to promote the show's
title song in becoming the Oklahoma state song. After Oklahoma! closed
in , Bond retired from acting and joined American Family Life
Insurance Co. as a district coordinator in its Tulsa office. He
continued in the insurance business.In , Bond was the recipient of the
Lynn Riggs Award, presented by Rogers State University.[a] In , the
Oklahoma Heritage Association named Bond an Ambassador of Goodwill.
actor, singer and businessman, who is best known for playing the role
of Curly in the musical Oklahoma! on Broadway and on tour. He retired
from acting when the musical closed in , and entered the insurance
business.Bond was born in McAlester, Oklahoma. He attended the
University of Tulsa, where he played a leading role in the play Green
Grow the Lilacs, which was later adapted as Oklahoma!. He served in
the U.S. Navy in World War II. After his discharge, he joined the
Broadway cast of Oklahoma! in , soon taking over as Curly for Howard
Keel, and, according to Deseret News, he played the role of Curly for
the longest period of any actor during the original Broadway
production. He then toured with the show and played the role in the
and Broadway revivals. He reportedly performed this role , times
during his career. He was also the only Oklahoma native to play the
role.In , Bond was instrumental in assisting Oklahoma state
representative (and later Governor) George Nigh to promote the show's
title song in becoming the Oklahoma state song. After Oklahoma! closed
in , Bond retired from acting and joined American Family Life
Insurance Co. as a district coordinator in its Tulsa office. He
continued in the insurance business.In , Bond was the recipient of the
Lynn Riggs Award, presented by Rogers State University.[a] In , the
Oklahoma Heritage Association named Bond an Ambassador of Goodwill.
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