Ridge Bond

Ridge Bond as Curly in 1949

Ridgely McClure "Ridge" Bond (July 12, 1922 – May 6, 1997) 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.

Life and career

Bond was born in McAlester, Oklahoma.[1] 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!.[2] He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. After his discharge, he joined the Broadway cast of Oklahoma! in 1946, soon taking over as Curly for Howard Keel,[3] and, according to Deseret News, he played the role of Curly for the longest period of any actor during the original Broadway production.[4] He then toured with the show and played the role in the 1951 and 1953 Broadway revivals. He was also the only Oklahoma native to play the role.[1] His likeness, in character as Curly (along with Laurie), is featured on the U.S. postage stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary of Oklahoma![5]

In 1953, 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.[1][4][6] In 1991, Bond was the recipient of the Lynn Riggs Award, presented by Rogers State University. In 1993, the Oklahoma Heritage Association named Bond an Ambassador of Goodwill.[3][5]

In 1943, Bond married restoration artist Maxine Vincent (1921–2008). They had two children, musician and sound engineer Geoffrey Bond and Pamela Bond-Simmons.[7] After Oklahoma! closed in 1954, Bond retired from acting and joined American Family Life Insurance Co. as a district coordinator in its Tulsa office.[5] He continued in the insurance business.[4]

He died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1997, aged 74.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ridge Bond, Oklahoman", Tulsa World, May 9, 1997
  2. ↑ "Tributes: Ridge Bond", Oklahoma Today, p. 76
  3. 1 2 "Oklahoma Memories: Official State Song", Oklahoma Historical Society, March 24, 2012, accessed July 31, 2014
  4. 1 2 3 "Ex-Oklahoma Actor Readies for Song's 50th", Deseret News, March 30, 1993.
  5. 1 2 3 "Musical Actor to Be Honored With Hall of Fame Award", Oklahoman, November 7, 1993
  6. ↑ Burke, Bob. "How Oklahoma Got the Best State Song", Oklahoma magazine, Oklahoma Heritage Association, December 2013, p. 36
  7. ↑ "Maxine Vincent Bond Obituary", Obitsforlife.com, accessed July 31, 2014
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