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Ian Turpie

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left Ian Turpie is a former Australian television celebrity known primarily for hosting a long-running game show called The Price Is Right. The show later continued, although with a new host, Larry Emdur.

Born in Melbourne in 1943, Ian began his entertainment career at the age of 10, when he was accepted at the prestigious Hector Crawford Drama School and gained recognition as a juvenile actor working in radio and theatre.

He starred in a number of radio programmes alongside Sir Robert Helpmann and June Bronhill, and featured in the top rating series D24, which became one of the most dominant and influential programmes in Australian radio history.

During Ian's teens, he discovered a passion for music and focused on playing guitar, songwriting and singing. By the age of 16, Ian was a seasoned radio and stage performer, touring Australia in such hits as Peter Pan, Auntie Mame and Bye Bye Birdie, and appearing in several National Theatre Productions including Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Television soon beckoned, and Ian made regular appearances on Bandstand, Time for Terry and The Graham Kennedy Show. In 1964, Ian played a bank robber in the original episode of the programme that was to become a TV phenomenon — Homicide.

His natural talents as musician and compere were recognized at 21, when he replaced Johnny O'Keefe for a stint as national television compere on Sing Sing Sing Following this experience, Ian was chosen to host the top rating teenage variety show The Go!! Show.

In the 1970s, Ian moved to Sydney to work the club circuit, and continued to make guest appearances on numerous television shows including The Mike Walsh Show, The Bert Newton Show, A Guy Called Athol and the ABC variety series, Follies.

In the 1980s, Ian's name became famous as host of the highly successful, frenzied game show The New Price is Right. This was followed by other game shows including Press Your Luck and Supermarket Sweep.

In the 1990s, Ian developed cult status following a regular, four-year stint as Club President on Roy & HG's Club Buggery. Known as the "Giant of the G Chord", he performed renditions of such classics as Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, and, complete with suspenders, The Rocky Horror Picture Show's Time Warp.

More recently, 'Turps' has taken to acting in infomercials.

Less serious Club_Buggery appearances in Turps about the House, Captain Ajax and Sam Stain showcased his comedic talents.

One nickname for Turpie is 'Turps', Australian slang for alcoholic beverages (derived from the word 'turpentine'). Turpie has two drink driving convictions, from 1988 and 2006. [link]

Contents

Awards

TV Host/Compere

TV Specials

TV Acting

Films

Theatre

Radio

Discography

Charity Work

External links

 

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