Gary Wilmot

Born in London in 1954, Harold Owen “Gary” Wilmot is a British actor, singer and comedian, who has appeared in West End productions for over 30 years. In his early years, Wilmot was inspired by his father’s love of singing; his dad Harry was a part of vocal harmony group The Southlanders. However, his dad’s death when Gary was just seven stopped his dream. As he grew up, Wilmot steered away from performing, instead working on building sites.

Wilmot’s big break came after entering New Faces, a reality television show that sought after undiscovered British talent. Being part of a comedy double act with Judy McPhee, Wilmot went on to appear in popular British shows — a star was born.

Wilmot’s West End debut came in 1989, playing Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl at the Adelphi Theatre. Even though he’d never had theatre experience, his performance was widely praised and even received an Olivier Award nomination. Subsequently, he starred in Carmen Jones and the world premiere of Copacabana as Tony.

In recent years, Wilmot’s West End credits include The Pajama Game at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre, The Wind in the Willows at the London Palladium and Mr Gum & The Dancing Bear at the National Theatre. He also starred in the world premiere of The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion Theatre, originating the role of Jethro, and in Anything Goes at the Barbican. In 2022, Gary Wilmot joined the Wicked cast as The Wizard.

As well as West End musicals, Wilmot has become a pantomime regular, appearing in annual London Palladium pantomimes. So far, he’s played the dame roles in Dick Whittington, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Pantoland at the Palladium.

In 2023, Wilmot will play the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium.