Colm Wilkinson (born 5 June 1944), also known as C. T. Wilkinson, is an Irish tenor and actor who is best known for originating the lead role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables (in the West End and Broadway) and for taking the title role in The Phantom of the Opera at the Sydmonton Festival and the original Canadian production. Due to his association with these musicals, he reprised the role of Jean Valjean during the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert (at The Royal Albert Hall), as well as appearing as a special guest at the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena and The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. His versions of both "The Music of the Night" from Phantom and "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables are acclaimed throughout the world; fans "insist he perform them...at all his concerts." Early life Born in Drimnagh, in 1944, in the downstairs room of his parents' house, Wilkinson was one of ten children. He recalls a home that resonated with singing, poetry, and musical instruments. Both of his parents were skilled musicians. His mother, a native of Crossmolina in County Mayo, was a singer, and was involved in amateur dramatics, while the banjo and mandolin formed part of his father's extensive repertoire. Wilkinson worked with his father, who was an asphalt contractor, and was playing in bands part-time. At 16 years of age, he went to the US on a tour, and soon after quit the family business to become a full-time professional musician. Life and career After playing in several Irish bands which included The Action (not to be confused with an English band of the same name), in 1972, Wilkinson was cast as Judas Iscariot in the Dublin production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar; he went on to reprise the role in London and on the British national tour. In 1976, Wilkinson sang the part of Che on the album for the musical Evita. Instead of auditioning for the role when the production was launched in London, Wilkinson launched a solo career as a singer-songwriter. Wilkinson also featured as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde in the original Jekyll and Hyde concept album. By 1977, Wilkinson released his own eponymous album, in his childhood home in Ireland, where he was known as "C.T. Wilkinson". The album charted in the Irish Charts for eight weeks