Gordon William Boyd (26 December 1922 â€" 8 October 2009) was an
English actor of film, television and musical theatre as well as a
television host, and singer who hosted several television programmes
in Australia during the 1960s. He worked in both his native Britain,
and then in Australia after immigrating in 1964.Boyd was born Gordon
William Needham at Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, England. He
attended Faversham Grammar School, and studied a year of medicine with
the intention of becoming a medical missionary for the Methodist
Church, but instead took up acting after joining the Royal Air Force
in 1941, where he studied drama, performed and participated in radio
broadcasts. After flight training in the United States, Boyd was
posted to Ceylon, where he flew PBY Catalina flying boats and served
with several Australian military personnel.After the end of World War
II, Boyd landed a role in the operetta Song of Norway, which ran for
two years in London's West End. In 1953, he had a role in the West End
production of Guys and Dolls, and in 1959 he played an Australian
character in the poorly received play Kookaburra at the Prince's
Theatre. In 1955, Boyd made his film debut in a minor role in Richard
III, Laurence Olivier's adaptation of the Shakespeare play.
English actor of film, television and musical theatre as well as a
television host, and singer who hosted several television programmes
in Australia during the 1960s. He worked in both his native Britain,
and then in Australia after immigrating in 1964.Boyd was born Gordon
William Needham at Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, England. He
attended Faversham Grammar School, and studied a year of medicine with
the intention of becoming a medical missionary for the Methodist
Church, but instead took up acting after joining the Royal Air Force
in 1941, where he studied drama, performed and participated in radio
broadcasts. After flight training in the United States, Boyd was
posted to Ceylon, where he flew PBY Catalina flying boats and served
with several Australian military personnel.After the end of World War
II, Boyd landed a role in the operetta Song of Norway, which ran for
two years in London's West End. In 1953, he had a role in the West End
production of Guys and Dolls, and in 1959 he played an Australian
character in the poorly received play Kookaburra at the Prince's
Theatre. In 1955, Boyd made his film debut in a minor role in Richard
III, Laurence Olivier's adaptation of the Shakespeare play.
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