Sharon Baird, a multifaceted and accomplished personality, left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry as the beloved Mousketeer "Sharon" on the legendary television program The Mickey Mouse Club, taking her inaugural breath on August 16, 1943, within the bustling metropolis of Seattle, Washington, a city renowned for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and pioneering spirit.
Born into a family with a rich and storied history within the realm of entertainment, Sharon's sibling, Jimmy Baird, embarked upon an acting career, albeit one that was marked by a relatively shorter duration compared to the illustrious and extensive trajectory that would come to define her own remarkable journey.
Sharon's formative years were characterized by an unwavering fascination with the art of dance, which commenced with her initiation into the world of ballet at a tender age, thus showcasing a natural aptitude that would subsequently inspire her to venture into other styles, including the rhythmic complexity of tap and the dynamic expressiveness of jazz. This early immersion in the realm of dance served as the bedrock upon which her lifelong ardor for this captivating art form would continue to flourish and mature.
In the year 1950, a significant turning point occurred in Sharon's life when she emerged victorious in the esteemed "Little Miss Washington" beauty pageant, a coveted title that presented her with the chance to participate in the national competition. Although she ultimately secured a respectable second place finish, her parents were thoroughly impressed by the experience and its benefits, leading them to make the bold decision to relocate the family to Los Angeles, a city renowned for its pleasant and arid climate, which they found far more appealing than the cold and rainy weather of their native Seattle. This pivotal decision would have a profound and lasting impact on Sharon's life, profoundly shaping her future and opening up new avenues of opportunity that would enable her to flourish and reach her full potential.
Sharon's professional journey underwent a pivotal transformation in Los Angeles, where she had the extraordinary privilege of learning from the illustrious Louis Da Pron, a maestro of the art of tap dancing. Under Da Pron's meticulous guidance, Sharon's skills were meticulously refined, and his endorsement led to a coveted recommendation for a role in an upcoming skit on The Colgate Comedy Hour, a highly esteemed television program at the time. Although she did not ultimately secure the part, the show's charismatic host, the legendary Eddie Cantor, took notice of her exceptional talent and decided to offer her a personalized contract. This exceptional opportunity allowed her to appear on the show whenever Cantor was hosting, thereby enabling her to acquire invaluable experience and exposure. Her career-defining moment, however, arrived when she successfully auditioned for a part in the film Bloodhounds of Broadway, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
Sharon Cantor, a talented and burgeoning actress, whose professional trajectory was poised for a remarkable ascent, suddenly found her trajectory brutally interrupted by a life-altering event. In the year 1952, a devastating heart attack struck, casting a dark shadow over her promising career, ultimately precipitating a precipitous decline in her professional pursuits.
Sharon, a remarkably gifted 11-year-old individual, found herself situated in the midst of a Capitol Records recording session, where her extraordinary abilities unexpectedly caught the attention of Jimmie Dodd, a co-host of the forthcoming Disney program "The Mickey Mouse Club". Dodd, acutely perceptive of her immense talent, enthusiastically encouraged Sharon to audition for the show, and she subsequently seized the opportunity with unbridled enthusiasm, ultimately landing a highly coveted spot among the esteemed cast.
Sharon's remarkable credentials, a stark departure from those of her fellow Mouseketeers, boasted a remarkable foundation in singing and dancing, which would ultimately lead to her being prominently featured in nearly every episode during the show's inaugural year.
As the television program continued to unfold, a palpable transformation became evident, manifesting in a significant reduction of Sharon's on-screen presence, her utilization gradually waning as she transitioned from a central figure to a more peripheral role, relegated to making subtle appearances in the background, rather than being prominently showcased as a vocalist or performer.
As the curtain drew to a close on the beloved television program in the year 1958, Sharon Taylor, the talented actress, refused to let her passion for the stage fade away. Instead, she continued to dazzle audiences with her remarkable abilities, taking her talents to the iconic Disneyland theme park and other exclusive events, where she had the privilege of sharing the spotlight with some of her former co-stars from the show.
Sharon, a multifaceted and accomplished individual, successfully managed to support herself financially through her tireless efforts in teaching dance techniques, all while concurrently pursuing advanced academic pursuits by enrolling in a diverse range of courses at Los Angeles Valley College, a renowned educational institution, where she had the privilege of being a student from the year 1960 to 1962.
After completing her academic endeavors, Sharon continued to cultivate her artistic talents by co-starring with the illustrious Donald O'Connor, a master of song and dance, in a dazzling Las Vegas production that effectively displayed her exceptional dancing prowess to a diverse and captivated audience.
Sharon's personal life underwent a significant transformation in the year 1963, as she entered into a romantic relationship with the illustrious singer, Dalton Lee Thomas, a partnership that would span approximately three years before coming to a close in 1966.
Sharon, in the year 1969, dedicated herself to a career as a secretary, when her life suddenly took a dramatic and unforeseen turn with the receipt of a telephone call from the renowned and esteemed producer, Sid Krofft, who extended a unique and extraordinary offer to Sharon to participate in his newly conceived and innovative television program, H.R. Pufnstuf, a project that would ultimately have a profound impact on her life and career.
Sharon, a highly gifted and accomplished individual, seized the opportunity to take on a substantial and influential role, which in turn led to her being sought after and recruited by the prestigious and esteemed television production duo, Krofft brothers, to assume a prominent position in all their subsequent series productions.
This extraordinary and remarkable turn of events was subsequently followed by a notable and memorable appearance at the 20th Anniversary Celebration for the iconic and beloved television program "The Mickey Mouse Club", held at the world-famous and iconic Disneyland theme park in the year 1975.
Years that had passed, Sharon would make a lasting impression, embodying the iconic character of "Frodo" in the groundbreaking animated and live-action adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's timeless literary masterpiece, "The Lord of the Rings", a cinematic endeavour directed by the highly acclaimed Ralph Bakshi, all the way back in 1978.
As the calendar flipped to 1986, a transformative moment materialized for Sharon, as she embarked on an unconventional artistic trajectory by assuming a role that diverged significantly from her previous undertakings. Under the pseudonym "S.L. Baird", she breathed life into a multifaceted and intricate character - a teenage boy whose physical deformity and unconventional behavior led to him being affectionately yet also derogatorily referred to as "Ratboy".
Notwithstanding her unwavering dedication and perseverance, the cinematic endeavour in question ultimately struggled to generate a profound emotional connection with its intended audience, garnering neither widespread critical acclaim nor substantial commercial success. This unexpected setback prompted Sharon to reassess her professional trajectory, revisiting the source of her artistic inspiration and reigniting her fervour for performing in children's entertainment productions, where she could once more establish a meaningful bond with her youthful enthusiasts and showcase her remarkable abilities to a global audience.
Notably, she has made numerous appearances at Mousketeer reunions, a testament to the enduring connection she has maintained with the franchise, a bond that has withstood the test of time.
Notably, she has also had the distinct honor of participating in Disneyland's 50th Anniversary Event in the year 2005, a celebration that brought together fans and alumni alike, a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
Moreover, she has maintained a lasting bond with her former Mousketeer colleague, the incomparable Annette Funicello, a friendship that transcends the realm of nostalgia and speaks to the enduring power of camaraderie, a powerful reminder of the lasting impact that the Mousketeer experience had on her life.
