Jess Conrad (born Gerald James, 24 February 1936, Brixton, London) is an actor and singer from England. He was popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s with a number of hits to his credit, "Cherry Pie", "This Pullover", "Mystery Girl" and "Pretty Jenny". He has recorded for Decca, Columbia, Pye and EMI record labels. Since then his live performances have continued to be popular, with an ovation in 2005 at the London Palladium when sharing a bill with Eden Kane, John Leyton, Marty Wilde and others.

During the late 1950s and in to the mid 1960s Conrad appeared in a number of cult films, namely Serious Charge (uncredited), The Boys, Rag Doll, (filmed in 1960, and released in '61); Kill 1 and Konga. He also featured in a cameo role in the Sex Pistols film The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle. Odeon recently re-issued one of his 1970s films on to DVD - Cool It Carol. He starred in the 1984 TV movie Marple: The Body in the Library as Raymond Starr. He also starred in the 1990s film, The Punk And The Princess.

Musical success

Conrad starred in many musicals throughout the 1970s and 1980s, his acclaimed portrayal of 'Jesus' in Godspell led to his landing the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat when it first ran in the West End, he was the first successful Joseph and toured with the show for nine years. He has also appeared in many rock operas and pantomimes as well as mainstream acting tours. He has also been a member of the Showbiz Football XI and managed the celebrity team for many years. Conrad struck up a working relationship with comic Jim Davidson after appearing in his infamous adult panto Sinderella and featured as 'the voice of viagra' on Davidson's The Generation Game for BBC Television.