Abercrombie, Ian

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biography of Abercrombie, Ia

11 September 1934, Grays, Essex, England, UK
Ian Abercrombie began his theatrical career as a lad during the Blitz in World War II. After his footwork years during which he earned Bronze, Silver and Gold medals in dance for the stage, he performed in London, Holland, Ireland and Scotland. He made his American stage debut in 1955 in a production of "Stalag 17" with 'Jason Robards' (qv) and 'Jules Munshin' (qv). Many plays in summer stock, regional and off-Broadway followed in a variety of theatrical offerings, from revues to Shakespeare (in a particularly low period, he worked as a magician's assistant for $10 a performance). In 1957 Ian was drafted into the army and stationed in Germany. He was in Special Services, where he directed the Continental premiere of "Separate Tables" and toured with 'Olivia de Havilland' (qv) in her show. Back in the US, Ian went to California for a backers' audition. That fizzled but he began his long and successful film and television career. For the past 40 years, his theatrical work highlights have included; "As You Like It", "Hamlet", "Misalliance", "The Good Doctor", "The Way Of The World", "Mary Stuart", "Crucifer Of Blood", "Journey's End", "The Wrong Box", "The Cocktail Party", "Bert & Maisy", "Other Places", "Bent", "Natural Causes", "The Vortex", "Rough Crossing", "Africa", "Road & Lettice" and "Lovage". He received awards for his work in "Sweet Prince" with 'Keir Dullea' (qv), "Teeth N'smiles", "A Doll's House" with 'Linda Purl' (qv) and "The Arcata Promise" opposite 'Anthony Hopkins' (qv). He also received acclaim for the one-man show "Jean Cocteau - A Mirror Image". Recently a highlight was playing Alfie Doolittle in "My Fair Lady". Ian is also in great demand for voice-work on radio, CD-ROMS, films and commercials.
ian abercrombie

- 'Elizabeth Romano' (qv) (17 February 1956 - ?) (divorced)

- Cousin of John Abercrombie, Jazz Guitarist, ECM Recording Star.

- Serves on the Board of Directors of BAFTA-LA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and on the Western Board of The Actor's Fund of America.

- Stepped in for an ailing 'Whoopi Goldberg' (qv) at the last minute as emcee/Host for the 2001 BAFTA/LA Britannia Awards honoring 'Steven Spielberg'. The award was presented by H.R.H. 'Prince Andrew' (qv), Duke of York.

- Shares two roles with 'Clive Revill' (qv). Revill was the voice of Alfred Pennyworth in early episodes of Batman (1992), a role Abercrombie played in Birds of Prey (2002)(TV). Revill was also the first actor to play Palpatine, in _Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)_ (qv). Abercrombie voiced the character in the animated Clone Wars series.

- TV commercial for Discover Card (1999)

- TV commercial for Buick (1998)

- Advertising medium for Chrysler (1995)

- TV Commercial for Ameritrade (1998)

- TV Commercial for Batman & Robin Video (1997)

- TV Commercial for Choice Hotels (1994)

- TV Commercial for Eidos-Tomb Raiders (1998)

- TV Commercial for Kodak (1997)

- TV Commercial for UPS (1999)

- TV commercial for AT&T (2000)

- (March 2002): Plays Sir Francis Beekman in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" musical by Jule Styne and Leo Robin (Freud Playhouse, Westwood, California, USA).

- Played Bellman with George Lopez in "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade" on December 25, 2003.

- California Artists Radio Theatre (CART) Performed at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and the Beverly Garland Hotel with the Presentations Recorded for later Broadcast

- "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with Samantha Eggar, Joseph Marcell, Jeanette Nolan. Kathleen Freeman, William Windom, Eliot Reed, Marvin Kaplan, Richard Erdman,Marty Maguire.

- "Heartbreak House" with Anne Rogers, Sean McClory, Kathleen Freeman, Samantha Eggar, Louis Nye, Thomas MacGreevy.

- "Alice In Wonderland" with David Warner, Anne Rogers, Kathleen Freeman, John Astin, Jeanette Nolan, Louis Nye, Richard Erdman, Parley Baer, Linda Henning, Ashby Adams, Marvin Kaplan

- "An Ideal Husband" with David Warner, Samantha Eggar, Edward Mulhare, William Windom, Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy, Bairbre Dowling, Charlotte Rae, Sean McClory.

- "Dear Brutus" with Rene Auberjonois, Beverly Garland, William Windom, Frances Bay, Richard Erdman, Peggy Webber, Linda Henning.

- "Discovery' with Norman Lloyd, Dan O'Herlihy, David Warner, James Lancaster, Robert Rockwell, Les Tremayne, Elliot Reed, Sean McClory, Parley Baer, Joseph Marcell, Ashby Adams.

- "Epistles For Two" with Richard Erdman, Jeanette Nolan, Samantha Eggar, John Astin, Helena Carroll, Kathleen Freeman, Bill Irwin, Elizabeth Dennehy, James Lancaster, Charlotte Rae, Kay E. Kuter, Norman Lloyd.

- "Hobson's Choice" with Bairbre Dowling, Francesca Beach,, Tom Williams, Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy, Helena Carroll, Martin Maguire, James Lancaster, Redmond Gleeson, John O'Callaghan.

- "Jane Eyre" with Michael York, Samantha Eggar, Amelia White, Victoria Thompson, Beverly Garland, Helena Carroll, Martin Maguire, Linda Henning, Beverly Garland, Sean McClory, Peggy Webber.

- "Margaret Of Tudor" with Kathleen Freeman, William Windom, Norman Lloyd, James Lancaster, Helena Carroll, Linda Henning, Ashby Adams, Elizabeth Dennehy

- "Oscar In Limbo" with David Warner, Samantha Eggar, Bairbre Dowling, James Lancaster, Jeanette Nolan, Sean McClory, Elliot Reid, William Windom, Ashby Adams, Dan O'Herlihy.

- "Shadow And Substance" with Helena Carroll, Edward Mulhare, Colm Meany, Finola Hughes, James Lancaster, Bairbre Dowling, Marty Maguire, Sean McClory, Jeanette Nolan.

- (2010) TV Commercial - X-Box...Activision