James Bondy

Background

Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Bondy attended Catholic Central High School with early aspirations to become a hockey player or a dentist. A high school drama coach noticed the popular, engaging young man and encouraged Bondy to try out for a school play. He was cast in the lead and starred in every school play through graduation. In 1993, Bondy was only one of a handful of men to be accepted into the musical theatre degree program at the University of Windsor. He is a graduate of the program. Key roles on the college stage, in local repertory productions, and the Windsor Light Opera Company followed, and Bondy eventually relocated to Toronto in 1997 to pursue a professional career.

Early career

Bondy was eventually chosen to help open the Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World by starring in a production of Disney's Journey into the Jungle Book. After over eight hundred performances, Bondy returned to Windsor, where he would be seen performing in sold-out revues at the casinos in Windsor and across the river in Detroit, Michigan. Bondy would find himself performing on the Renaissance Cruise Lines, headlining high-octane musical revues until the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, forcing him to return to Toronto.

Bondy then gained experience in film, working as an extra and bit player, until he returned to performing aboard cruise ships in 2003, performing for another six months on the Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld

During this stint aboard a cruise line, Bondy was approached by the creator of a new children's show. He had seen Bondy perform and was convinced that he found the human co-host he was looking for. When Bondy's contract with the cruise line expired, he began filming episodes of the live-action/animated series Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld. The series was picked up by American Public Television and can now be seen on over a hundred public television stations in North America. Bondy filmed 78 episodes which can been seen daily in many major cities in and around the United States.

Music career

In 2004, Bondy recorded an album of Broadway tunes and soft hits, Songs From the Heart.

He continues to perform in Central Florida as a guitar/vocalist solo artist.

Personal life

Bondy met his wife while she was working as a dancer aboard the cruise ship; they lived together in New York City. Bondy is a devoted fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays. Bondy enjoys golf for relaxation.