Biography - Star of Stage & Screen

 

Bob La Castra has received both national and international recognition as an actor, television presenter and writer. However, his professional life in the world of entertainment began at the age of 13, as a cabaret singer, on the English Club circuit.

 

Bob is one of the finest vocal exponents of the timeless, classic love songs, written by the classic romanticists, such as Cole Porter and Burt Bacharach. Along with swing, reminiscent of Sinatra and Bublé, the soul of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and the sweet soul/jazz of George Benson and Al Jarreau, Bob, not only offers the sound of sophistication, but the very essence of the complete showman.

 

But it's not just 'the voice', the warmth of Bob's personality and the consummate ease with which he engages an audience — no matter the size and diversity —  leaves everyone with the feeling of an intimate show experience.

 

Equally at home in front of the TV camera, as he is on stage, Bob’s television career has been as varied as it has been successful. After spending five years as a host of Australia’s longest- running national children’s TV program, Wombat (Channel 7), for which he received a coveted 'Television Society of Australia' Penguin Award for ‘Best Children’s Television Personality’, Bob went on to spend almost a year as a regular cast member of the international hit TV soap, Neighbours.

 

A successful association with ABC TV saw Bob engaged as a presenter of the prime-time travel program, Holiday, and host of 80 episodes of his own ‘teen’ game show, The Big Square Eye.

 

As a television personality and host, Bob has interviewed a plethora of celebrities, entertainers and sports stars. In fact, Bob’s very first interview was with none other than Sammy Davis Jr. Other guests included the likes of Tom Jones, Britt Ekland, Eric Bana and Ken Done.  Bob was also assigned to handle a live-cross, pre-fight TV interview (Australia & USA), with former boxing world heavy weight champion Joe Bugner and his opponent, James 'Bonecrusher' Smith.

 

In addition to the television plaudits and a music career that has seen Bob tour with the Drifters and write/record an album with Australian rock legend, Brian Cadd, Bob still lists one of his proudest achievements as being awarded a Media Peace Prize for his song ‘Change The Future’, written and recorded to raise funds for UNICEF. The song clip was also used in Sir Bob Geldof’s ‘Sport Aid’ promotion.

 

Musical theatre has also played a significant role in Bob's life, seeing him play the 'show- stopping comedic role' of Herod, in Jesus Christ Superstar (AUS), alongside the likes of Australian musical theatre star Angela Toohey. Bob also played the lead pantomime role of Aladdin (UK), in which he starred with John Altman (Nick Cotton — BBC TV soap, EastEnders) and Trevor Bannister (Mr Lucas — BBC TV comedy, Are You Being Served).

 

A successful and diverse personality, Bob is highly regarded throughout the television and entertainment industry, as a rare talent and a true professional.