Biography

Born in Sydney, Rhonda Burchmore has performed since the age of two and became internationally known as Kate in the 1982 film The Pirate Movie. Her stage breakthrough came in 1988's Sugar Babies, first in Australia and then in London's West End opposite Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller. David Atkins created a role for her in the tap musical Hot Shoe Shuffle, and in 1997 she opened Melbourne's Crown Casino with her own spectacular Red Hot & Rhonda. A mainstay of Australian musical theatre, her credits range from Mame and Annie Get Your Gun to Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Hairspray (2022–23), Sister Act (2024–25) and Countess Lily in the 2025 Australian premiere of Anastasia. A celebrated cabaret performer and recording artist, she was appointed OAM in 2014. On screen she has been a variety-TV regular and placed third on I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2020.