He is the third child of Maurice (Mo) Kimball and Clarice Kimball and was born and raised in Los Angeles (Hollywood and North Hollywood). His father was a newspaper and magazine publisher and editor. His mother was a talented pianist, organist and composer. She spent all of WWII as a USO entertainer in San Diego where she met her husband while he was stationed there in the Navy. They both loved big band music and Maurice had the pleasure of being master of ceremonies at several Glenn Miller Orchestra performances. Kent went to 3rd Street Elementary School and was a schoolmate of Natalie Cole, daughter of Nat King Cole. There were many classmates whose parents were actors, directors, TV personalities, film editors, etc. Because many of these kids were spoiled or obnoxious, Kent didn't like what he saw and vowed to never become a professional entertainer. However, during this same time, he sang and played clarinet in school and church choirs and orchestras and often performed in talent shows and plays. But he didn't formally study acting until many years later. He took ballroom dance lessons for several years from Mrs. Paul Henried at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Several of his dancing partners, are well-known entertainment figures today. He attended high school in Fallbrook, California, the "Avocado Capital of the World". While there, he was an officer in the FFA, a Madrigal Singer, and president and student conductor of the 100 voice choir. He lettered in wrestling, swimming and diving (most valuable "C" swimmer), and tennis (as a junior and senior, he went to the California State Tennis Tournament in Ojai, CA.). He also lettered in wrestling in college. Kent attended Los Angeles City College and graduated from the University of Southern California in 1973 with a B.S. in Business Administration. However, his real passion in college was always music. He earned almost as many music credits as he did in his major. Music composition, conducting, music history, vocal performance and opera were his real loves. While in college, he was able to take conducting classes from three of the greatest choral conductors in America: Charles Hirt, Roger Wagner, and Robert Shaw. These remain his conducting "heros" to this day. Throughout college, Kent was an Aviation Reserve Office Candidate and went on active duty immediately upon graduation. He went through Naval Flight Officer training and Flight School in Pensacola, Florida and served on several Naval Air Stations in California and Florida as well as the aircraft carrier USS Okinawa. He met his future wife Norilee Bergland at Hollywood Presbyterian Church where they were both members. She was a music major at California State University in Northridge. They have been married since June of 1974. They have four daughters: Kendra, Catherine, Hannah, and Julie. All five of the Kimball ladies are talented singers, dancers and actors. Norilee is a high school choir and vocal teacher whose students often earn state and national recognition. Three of the five have advanced degrees in music and/or theater. Kendra is an Equity Actor in NYC. After the Navy, Kent went to work as a salesman in the communications and computer hardware industries, doing quit well. He advanced to Sales Team Leader, District Sales Manager, National Sales Training Instructor, National Sales Manager, International Sales Manager, and eventually became Vice President of Sales and Marketing. It was during this 18 year period, he traveled extensively and it was difficult/sometimes impossible to fit much acting and music into his schedule. Since then, he started a small company, K2 Landscaping, which allows him more time and freedom to pursue acting and music. Kent has performed in over 50 plays and musicals, over 30 TV commercial s and Voice Overs, 16 films, and 18 operas. He has appeared on television many times (his TV debut came at age 7 on the "Art Linkletter Show". He has been on the Board of Directors of 3 opera companies on the West Coast and once served as General Director. Favorite stage roles performed include Petrucchio/Fred in "Kiss Me Kate", King Henry in "The Lion in Winter", Captain von Trapp in "The Sound of Music", Daddy Warbucks in "Annie", El Gallo in "Fantasticks", Emile de Becque in "South Pacific" and the title roles in "The Robber Bridegroom", "The King and I", and "Phantom". Favorite opera roles performed include Baron Zeta in "The Merry Widow", Dr. Bartolo in "The Marriage of Figaro", Baron Douphol in "La Traviata", King Melchior in "Amahl and the Night Visitors", Bluff in "The Impressario", Antonio in "The Gondoliers", and Marco in "Gianni Schicci". Some of the outstanding conductors he has performed with include Christopher Hogwood, Gunther Schuller, Fabio Mechetti, Paul Salamunovich, Alice Parker and Jester Hairston. As a soloist he has appeared with the Spokane Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Spokane Opera, Zephyr, Spokane String Quartet, The Festival at Sandpoint, and Opera Coeur d'Alene. He has also appeared with the Northwest Bach Festival (9 years), Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, Allegro, Century Singers and the Westminster Chamber Orchestra. He has sung the National Anthem for NFL games in Cleveland, OH. and Greenbay, WI. and for the opening day of the National Figure Skating Championships, all nationally televised. An accomplished conductor, Kent has directed many Bach cantatas, Handel "Messiah", Saint-Saens "Christmas Oratorio", Pinkham "Christmas Cantata", Halsey Stevens' "Magnificat", Vivaldi "Gloria", Brahms "Requiem", Schubert "Mass in G", Schutz "Seven Last Words" and many other great works; all with chamber orchestras and choirs of various sizes. He has conducted the Century Singers, Spokane String Quartet, the Westminster Chamber Orchestra and the Good News Singers in concerts. He was the founder and director of the Good News Singers. The Los Angeles Times said of his conducting, "Rhythmically precise, well-balanced performances...a model of beautiful choral blend and tone." He has been the Director of Music at many churches throughout the United States. He enjoys mountain climbing (alpine, rock and ice), and has climbed all over the world, including 4 of the 7 summits. Business, climbing and vacationing has made him a seasoned traveler, he has been in 68 countries on 6 continents. He lives by the lake with Norilee, in one of the most beautiful spots on earth - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.