Abigail (actress)

Last updated

Abigail
Born
Abigail Rogan

(1946-07-23) 23 July 1946 (age 77)
London, England
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Known for
Spouses

Abigail Rogan [1] [2] (known mononymously as Abigail; born 23 July 1946) is an English-born retired actress particularly of television soap operas and film and was also briefly a vocalist.

Contents

She emigrated from London in 1968 and became one of Australia's significant sex symbols of the early 1970s, promoted as a sultry blonde siren in the vein of Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot. [3]

She appeared in numerous soap operas including, Number 96 , Sons and Daughters and Chances .

Early life

Abigail was born in London, England in 1946 to a mother of Ceylonese (now Sri Lanki), of Dutch Burghers descent [3] and educated in France, she started her career in her native United Kingdom, appearing in such roles as Robin Hood and the Continental Theatre, she arrived in Australia to study civil engineering whilst acting part time, but made a major foray in showbiz when she was given the chance to appear as the female lead in a local theatre production of the British comedy There's a Girl in My Soup in 1968. She settled in Sydney and appeared in an advert with Phil Silvers and the TV series Delta. [3]

Acting career

Film and television

She is best known for her roles in several prominent Australian TV soap operas, where she became known simply as ‘Abigail‘. She first became well known in Number 96 , as an original cast member and as artist's model Bev Houghton, with her character providing fleeting nude glimpses. She became Australia's undisputed sex symbol of the early 1970s through the role. She was written out of the series after a dispute, although initially the media reported that she had left to appear in a movie in 1973. The character was re-cast with Victoria Raymond assuming the role. Abigail did however return to the soap in 1976 as the character of Eve.

During this period Abigail appeared in a series of brief cameo roles in a string of sex comedy films such as Alvin Purple (1973), and its 1974 sequel Alvin Rides Again . In 1974, Abigail would perform a striptease in the burlesque comedy "The Legend of San Peel" in The Barrel Theatre, a well-known strip palace in Kings Cross, [4] while struggling to find serious acting jobs.

In 1975, she appeared in Class of '75 as a prim French Senior Mistress. Also in 1975 she played Esmerelda in The True Story of Eskimo Nell and in 1976 appeared in another bawdy comedy Eliza Fraser . [4]

Abigail returned to Number 96 in November 1976. Her new character, the oft-divorced Eve, would potentially appear in a spinoff series, Fair Game, with Elaine Lee and Lynette Curran. It did not eventuate, although the completed pilot was divided up to create segments of three episodes of Number 96 (Episodes 1079–1081). [5]

Abigail appeared in a recurring sketch in The Norman Gunston Show called "The Checkout Chicks". This sketch, a send-up of melodramatic soap operas set in a supermarket, mostly featured other former Number 96 actresses. The show was cancelled in July 1977. Around the same time, she appeared in Glenview High . In 1977, Abigail appeared in The Young Doctors as super-efficient secretary Hilary Templeton. Also in 1977 she had a cameo role in the film Summer City , which is notable for being the first to have Mel Gibson in a major role.

In 1984 Abigail appeared in Melvin, Son of Alvin . In 1985, she scored a regular role in another soap opera Sons and Daughters , playing Caroline ‘The Cat’ Morrell, a role for which she became well known, and continued in until the series ended in 1987.

In 1988, she appeared in the film Breaking Loose , followed by a co-starring role in Elly & Jools playing Country & Western singer wannabe, Dulcie Dickson. In 1990 she appeared in Sher Mountain Killings Mystery followed by roles in soap operas Family and Friends and Neighbours . She then appeared in Chances as Bambi Shute, the host of a TV sex show, for most of 1992.

Theatre

Abigail had some success in the theatre, specialising in comedy roles. She toured New South Wales and Queensland with the stage farce A Bedfull of Foreigners in 1983. [6] [7]

Publishing and music

In 1973, after leaving Number 96, she published her autobiography, Call Me Abigail which sold 150,000 copies in its first two weeks of sale. [4] Also in 1973, Abigail made an attempt, one of the first soap stars to do so (prior to Kylie Minogue) at a popular music career and scored a hit with a cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Je t'aime... moi non plus", which reached the top 10 in Australia. [8] Although this debut was a success, follow-ups, including a comedic release with ventriloquist Chris Kirby, were not.

Retirement from acting

Abigail’s last role was in 2000, but in 2002, she briefly became a spokesperson for weight-loss company Jenny Craig. She claimed to have lost 17 kilograms in seven weeks.

Personal life

Abigail was twice married; first to her manager actor Mark Hashfield (who also appeared on Number 96 as Alan Cotterill) and then to actor Adrian Wright. [9] [10]

Abigail was interviewed on Sydney radio station 2GB on her 60th birthday in 2006. At that time she was living on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

In March 2011, Australian current affairs program Today Tonight produced a story on Abigail, claiming that she had fallen on hard times and was living as a squatter in a derelict church. A rebuttal story was aired the following evening by rival current affairs program, A Current Affair . In fact she and her husband had been living there temporarily, with permission, as their home had been partially destroyed in the 2011 floods. Her damaged home was being prepared for rebuilding. The Today Tonight story captured some hidden camera footage of Abigail. She did not appear on camera consensually.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleType
Les enfants de dieuFeature film
Descente a la plagueFeature film
ImaginationFeature film
1970Play 543Film short
1973 Alvin Purple Girl in see through blouseFeature film
1973The Wicked CityTV movie
1974 Alvin Rides Again MaeFeature film
1975 The True Story of Eskimo Nell EsmereldaFeature film
1976 Murcheson Creek Donna LewisTV movie
1976 Eliza Fraser Buxom GirlFeature film
1977 All at Sea Denise DemourTV movie
1977 Summer City Woman in PubFeature film
1984 Melvin, Son of Alvin Melvin's Mother, Mrs. SimpsonFeature film
1988 Breaking Loose: Summer City II HelenFeature film
1990 Sher Mountain Killings Mystery Muriel CordeauxFeature film
1990 Friday on My Mind TV movie
1995 The Final Stage The WomanFeature film
1999Liang Po PoFilm short
2000GitanoGypsy (voice)Animated film short

Television

YearTitleRoleType
Robin Hood Young ChildTV series, 1 episode
Continental Theatre TV series, 1 episode
1969 Delta Guest roleTV series, 2 episodes
1972-73; 1976 Number 96 Bev Houghton / EveTV series, 77 episodes
1972Moomba FestivalGuest - Herself with Number 96 castTV special
1972The Tony Hancock SpecialGuestTV special
1973 The Barry Crocker Comedy Hour GuestTV special
1973, 1973 The Paul Hogan Show Guest - Herself sings "Je Taime"TV pilot
1973 The Don Lane Show GuestTV series, 1 episode
1973 The Paul Hogan Show Herself sings "Do It Again"TV series, 1 episode
1973Sunday MagazineHerself - (Number 96 Celebration 300th episode) Guest with Gordon McDougall, Ron Shand, Pat McDonald & Johnny LockwoodTV series, 1 episode
1973Two-Up Goes LegalHerselfTV special
1974 Ted Hamilton's Musical World GuestTV series, 1 episode
1974 No Man's Land HerselfTV play
1974 This Love Affair HelenTV series, episode 2: 'Tilting at Windmills'
1974Frost Over AustraliaGuest - Herself with Leonard Teale & Lady Sonia McMahonTV series, 1 episode
1975 Class of '75 Angelique DupreeTV series, 98 episodes
1975 The Norman Gunston Show GuestTV series, 1 episode
1975 The Norman Gunston Show HerselfTV series, 8 episodes ('The Check-Out Chicks' sketch)
1975 Celebrity Squares ContestantTV series
1976Fair GameEveTV pilot
1976 Number 96 EveTV series, 3 episodes
1976 The Bluestone Boys Guest roleTV series, 1 episode
1976 Up the Convicts Sharlot (uncredited)TV series, 1 episode
1976 The Celebrity Game HerselfTV series
1976; 1994 Number 96: And They Said It Wouldn't Last Bev Houghton (archive clips)TV special
1977 The Young Doctors Hiliary TempletonTV series
1977 Graham Kennedy's Blankety Blanks PanelistTV series, 3 episodes
1977The Maggi Eckhardt HourGuestTV series, 1 episode
1978 Glenview High Guest roleTV series, 1 episode
1978, 1984 The Mike Walsh Show Guest - HerselfTV series, 1 episode
1978 Cappriccio GuestTV series, 1 episode
1978 The Zodiac Girls HerselfTV pilot
1979 Chopper Squad Alison BurnsTV series, 1 episode '
1980 Celebrity Tattletales Herself & Mark HashfieldTV series, 3 episodes
1980 Catch Us If You Can HerselfTV special
1980The Variety Club Race DayHerselfTV special
1980 Home Sweet Home PatientTV series, 1 episode
1981 Trial By Marriage LaiviniaTV series, 1 episode
1981 Are You Being Served? Perfume SaleswomanTV series, 1 episode
1981The Great Australian Argument SettlerHerself (pin-up)TV special
1982 The Australian Way: A Salute to Aussie Sex Appeal GuestTV special
1984 The Mike Walsh Show Guest - HerselfTV series, 1 episode
1984 Special Squad Mrs. QuinnTV series, 1 episode
1985-1987 Sons and Daughters Caroline MorrellTV series, 410 episodes
1985-1988 Channel Seven Perth Telethon HerselfTV special
1986The 28th Annual TV Week Logie Awards PresenterTV special
1986Kids Telethon Ten 21st Birthday ShowHerself in taped appearance with Number 96 cast: Pat McDonald, Johnny Lockwood, Bettina Welch, Elizabeth Kirkby, Chard Hayward, Sheila Kennelly, Harry Michaels, Wendy Blacklock, Frances Hargreaves & Vicki RaymondTV special
1986PunchlinesHerselfTV special
1987Have a GoGuest JudgeTV series, 3 episodes
1987The 29th Annual TV Week Logie Awards HerselfTV special
1987 Discovering Australia NarratorFilm documentary
1988Late Night OzGuestTV series, 1 episode
1989 Neighbours Betty BristowTV series, 3 episodes
1989 Rafferty's Rules Michelle DobbsTV series, 1 episode
1989 60 Minutes HerselfTV series, 1 episode
1989 The Bert Newton Show Guest - Herself with Colleen Hewett, Lionel Rose & Robin JolleyTV series, 1 episode
1989 Bodysurfer Mrs. JamesABC TV miniseries, 2 episodes
1990 Elly & Jools Dulcie DicksonTV series, 12 episodes
1990 Family and Friends Doreen StubbsTV series
1990 Celebrity Family Feud ContestantTV series, 1 episode
1991 Col'n Carpenter TV series, 1 episode
1991 Tonight Live with Steve Vizard GuestTV series, 1 episode
1991 Good Morning Australia GuestTV series, 1 episode
1991 Til Ten GuestTV series, 1 episode
1991; 1992In Sydney TodayGuestTV series, 2 episodes
1991 The Miraculous Mellops Iron PegTV miniseries, 1 episode
1992 The Midday Show HerselfTV series, 1 episode
1992 Chances Bambi ShuteTV series, 26 episodes
1993 Time Trax GeorgetteTV series, 1 episode
1994 Number 96: And They Said It Wouldn't Last PresenterTV special
1995Ernie and DeniseGuestTV series, 1 episode
1995 Good Morning Australia GuestTV series, 1 episode
1995; 2011 A Current Affair HerselfTV series, 1 episode
1995 Eurotrash GuestTV series, 1 episode
1996 Wedlocked RadnerTV series, 1 episode
1997 Where Are They Now? Guest - Herself with The Young Doctors actors Chris King, Tim Page, Gwen Plumb, Mark Holden & Ugly Dave GrayTV series, 1 episode
2008Not Quite Hollywood: Deleted and Extended ScenesHerselfVideo
2011 Today Tonight Herself (with partner Adrian Wright)TV series, 1 episode
2011 A Current Affair Herself (with partner Adrian Wright)TV series, 1 episode
2016 RealTVFilms HostTV series, 2 episodes

Theatre/Stage

Discography

Singles [11]
Album [11]

The track "Please Terry Do It One More Time", is the one that features Chris Kirby.

Produced by Martin Erdman
Recorded at Festival's 'Studio 24", Sydney Australia
Terry appears by courtesy of Chris Kirby.

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References

  1. "Abigail [Press Clippings]". 1900. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  2. Mawby, Nathan (17 March 2011). "TV soap star Abigail's flood misery". The Sunday Times . News Corp Australia . Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Giles, Nigel "Number 96 : Australian TV's Most Notorious Address"
  4. 1 2 3 "Aussie Soap Archive: Abigail: "I was naked"". Members.ozemail.com.au. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  5. TV Week magazine, Southdown Press, 6 November 1976, "Sydney Viewing, Monday 8 - Tuesday 9".
  6. Atterton, Margot. (Ed.) The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Australian Showbiz, Sunshine Books, 1984. ISBN   0-86777-057-0
  7. Mercado, Andrew. Super Aussie Soaps, Pluto Press Australia, 2004. ISBN   1-86403-191-3 pp 44–45
  8. McFadyen, Warwick (18 June 2005). "Strike up the banned". The Age. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  9. Knox, David (17 March 2011). ""TV royalty" branded "squatter" by Today Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  10. "TV soap star Abigail's flood misery". Herald Sun . 16 March 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  11. 1 2 "Abigail". Australian Music Database. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  12. "Abigail - Je t'aime (I Love You)". Pop Archives. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.