Ian Turpie
Encyclopedia
Ian "Turps" Turpie is an Australian television celebrity, best known for hosting the long-running game show The Price Is Right
before being replaced by Larry Emdur
.
He starred in a number of radio programmes alongside Sir Robert Helpmann
and June Bronhill
, and featured in the top-rated radio series D24.
During his teens, he discovered a passion for music and focused on playing guitar, songwriting and singing. By the age of 16, Turpie 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
. He was an early boyfriend of Olivia Newton-John
, with whom he starred in the 1965 Australian musical telefilm Funny Things Happen Down Under
, Newton-John's debut performance.
, Time For Terry
and The Graham Kennedy Show
. In 1964, Turpie played a student shot dead in a mock bank robbery in the opening scene to the debut episode of the iconic Crawford
police series Homicide, having earlier appeared in a featured guest role in an episode of the courtroom drama Consider Your Verdict
.
Turpie's talents as musician and compere were recognised at 21, when he replaced Johnny O'Keefe
for a stint as national television compere on Sing Sing Sing. He was subsequently chosen to host the top-rating teenage variety show The Go!! Show
.
In the 1970s, Turpie 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, Turpie became a nation-wide figure 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. Less serious Club Buggery
appearances in Turps about the House, Captain Ajax and Sam Stain showcased his comedic talents, as did a semi-regular role as cabaret-style singer Rolan Fields in drama series Always Greener
(2001-03).
More recently, 'Turps' has taken to acting in infomercials. Additionally, Ian Turpie currently hosts a successful trivia night every Wednesday at the Bat and Ball hotel in Surry Hills, Sydney. Since 2008 he has acted in Swift and Shift Couriers
.
(ACCC) took legal action against Ian Turpie for misleading and deceptive conduct in breach of the Trade Practices Act. The ACCC alleged Turpie had made false claims in advertisements for an erectile dysfunction treatment spray from Australian Medical Institute.
In 2005 Turpie pleaded guilty to drink driving after driving in Manly, New South Wales
, with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 (the legal limit in NSW is 0.05). He had his drivers licence suspended for 6 months however this was overturned on appeal. When questioned about the incident outside the courtroom Turpie stated: "I'm sorry that I was so stupid because it's a big thing, drink-driving, you won't be seeing me here again."
The family has asked for privacy during his treatment and has declined media requests to sell his story.
(Celebrity Golf Days), Alzheimer's Australia NSW and Rotary Club.
The Price Is Right (Australian game show)
The Price is Right was a television game show that has been produced in a number of different formats in Australia.-Original format:Two regional versions based on the original 1950s US format aired nearly concurrently - one aired on ATN-7 in Sydney, hosted by Bruce Beeby and Keith Walshe from...
before being replaced by Larry Emdur
Larry Emdur
Larry Emdur is an Australian television personality. He is currently co-hosting Saturday's Weekend Sunrise alongside Samantha Armytage....
.
Early life
Born in Melbourne in 1943, Turpie began his entertainment career at the age of 10, when he was accepted at the 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
Robert Helpmann
Sir Robert Helpmann CBE was an Australian dancer, actor, theatre director and choreographer.-Early years:He was born Robert Murray Helpman in Mount Gambier, South Australia and also boarded at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. From childhood, Helpman had a strong desire to be a dancer...
and June Bronhill
June Bronhill
June Bronhill OBE was an internationally acclaimed Australian soprano opera singer.-Biography:She was born June Mary Gough in the inland Australian city of Broken Hill, New South Wales...
, and featured in the top-rated radio series D24.
During his teens, he discovered a passion for music and focused on playing guitar, songwriting and singing. By the age of 16, Turpie was a seasoned radio and stage performer, touring Australia in such hits as Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
, Auntie Mame
Auntie Mame
Auntie Mame is a 1955 novel by Patrick Dennis that chronicles the madcap adventures of a boy, Patrick, growing up as the ward of his deceased father's eccentric sister, Mame Dennis. The book is a work of fiction inspired by the author's eccentric aunt, Marion Tanner, whose life and outlook in many...
and Bye Bye Birdie, and appearing in several National Theatre
National Theatre, Melbourne
The National Theatre is a 783 seat Australian theatre and theatrical arts school located in the Melbourne bayside suburb of St Kilda, on the corner of Barkly and Carlisle Streets...
Productions including Shakespeare's Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
. He was an early boyfriend of Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
, with whom he starred in the 1965 Australian musical telefilm Funny Things Happen Down Under
Funny Things Happen Down Under
Funny Things Happen Down Under is a 1965 Australian musical/family film directed by Joe McCormick. Today it is best remembered for being Olivia Newton-John's first film.-Plot:...
, Newton-John's debut performance.
Television and personal life
Television soon beckoned, and Turpie made regular appearances on BandstandBandstand
A bandstand is a circular or semicircular structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts...
, Time For Terry
Time For Terry
Time for Terry was an Australian TV series which ran in from 1964-1966. It was a variety show that was hosted by English comedian and entertainer as well as jazz musician Terry O'Neill. The show was a forerunner to such shows as The Midday Show and Hey Hey It's Saturday, combining variety and...
and The Graham Kennedy Show
The Graham Kennedy Show
The Graham Kennedy Show was an Australian talk show that debuted on 19 September 1972, on the Nine Network.On 23 December 1969, host Graham Kennedy has quit as host of In Melbourne Tonight, exhausted, and rested for two years. In spite of his fame and fortune, he later described that period as...
. In 1964, Turpie played a student shot dead in a mock bank robbery in the opening scene to the debut episode of the iconic Crawford
Crawford Productions
Crawford Productions is an Australian television production company founded by Hector Crawford; the present incarnation of the company, Crawfords Australia, is now a subsidiary of the WIN television corporation.-History:...
police series Homicide, having earlier appeared in a featured guest role in an episode of the courtroom drama Consider Your Verdict
Consider Your Verdict
Consider Your Verdict is an Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for the Seven Network originally screening from February 1961 through to June 1964. It was based on a radio series with the same name broadcast on 3DB in Melbourne from 1958 to 1960.The television series was...
.
Turpie's talents as musician and compere were recognised at 21, when he replaced Johnny O'Keefe
Johnny O'Keefe
John Michael O'Keefe, known as Johnny O'Keefe was an Australian rock and roll singer whose career began in the 1950s. Some of his hits include "Wild One" , "Shout!" and "She's My Baby"...
for a stint as national television compere on Sing Sing Sing. He was subsequently chosen to host the top-rating teenage variety show The Go!! Show
The Go!! Show
The Go!! Show was a top rating Australian popular music television series which aired on ATV-0 Melbourne from 1964 to 1967, and was produced by DYT Productions at the Channel 0 studios in Nunawading, Victoria....
.
In the 1970s, Turpie moved to Sydney to work the club circuit, and continued to make guest appearances on numerous television shows including The Mike Walsh Show
The Mike Walsh Show
The Mike Walsh Show is an Australian daytime television series. Hosted by Mike Walsh, the show ran from 1973 to 1984 for 90 minutes each weekday afternoon. The program was launched on the 0-10 Network and moved to the Nine Network in 1977...
, The Bert Newton Show, A Guy Called Athol and the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
variety series Follies
Follies
Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the "Weismann's Follies," a musical revue , that played in that theatre between the World Wars...
.
In the 1980s, Turpie became a nation-wide figure 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
Press Your Luck
Press Your Luck is an American television daytime game show created by Bill Carruthers and Jan McCormack. It premiered on September 19, 1983 on CBS and ended on September 26, 1986. In the show, contestants collected "spins" by answering trivia questions and then used the spins on an 18-space game...
and Supermarket Sweep
Supermarket Sweep
Supermarket Sweep is an American television game show. Part of the format was similar to other team-based quiz shows; the other part was a live-action race through a supermarket, a novel concept at the time...
.
In the 1990s, Ian developed cult status following a regular four-year stint as Club President on Roy & HG's Club Buggery
Club Buggery
Club Buggery is the title of an Australian television series of the 1990s. It was created and performed by Australian comedy duo Roy and HG and broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation network in 1996 and 1997.-Development:The series was an offshoot the duo's long-running,...
. Known as the "Giant of the G Chord", he performed renditions of such classics as Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
's Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
, and, complete with suspenders, The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the 1975 film adaptation of the British rock musical stageplay, The Rocky Horror Show, written by Richard O'Brien. The film is a parody of B-movie, science fiction and horror films of the late 1940s through early 1970s. Director Jim Sharman collaborated on the...
's Time Warp. Less serious Club Buggery
Club Buggery
Club Buggery is the title of an Australian television series of the 1990s. It was created and performed by Australian comedy duo Roy and HG and broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation network in 1996 and 1997.-Development:The series was an offshoot the duo's long-running,...
appearances in Turps about the House, Captain Ajax and Sam Stain showcased his comedic talents, as did a semi-regular role as cabaret-style singer Rolan Fields in drama series Always Greener
Always Greener
Always Greener was an Australian television drama/comedy series that aired on the Seven Network which followed the fortunes of two families, one from the city and the other from the country, when they decide to switch homes and start a new direction in life for themselves...
(2001-03).
More recently, 'Turps' has taken to acting in infomercials. Additionally, Ian Turpie currently hosts a successful trivia night every Wednesday at the Bat and Ball hotel in Surry Hills, Sydney. Since 2008 he has acted in Swift and Shift Couriers
Swift and Shift Couriers
Swift and Shift Couriers is an Australian comedy television series that first screened on SBS TV in October 2008. The series is produced, directed and written by Paul Fenech, who was also responsible for the comedy series Pizza. It is set around the staff who work at the 'Swift and Shift' Courier...
.
Controversy
In 2004 the Australian Competition and Consumer CommissionAustralian Competition and Consumer Commission
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is an independent authority of the Australia government. It was established in 1995 with the amalgamation of the Australian Trade Practices Commission and the Prices Surveillance Authority to administer the Trade Practices Act 1974...
(ACCC) took legal action against Ian Turpie for misleading and deceptive conduct in breach of the Trade Practices Act. The ACCC alleged Turpie had made false claims in advertisements for an erectile dysfunction treatment spray from Australian Medical Institute.
In 2005 Turpie pleaded guilty to drink driving after driving in Manly, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 (the legal limit in NSW is 0.05). He had his drivers licence suspended for 6 months however this was overturned on appeal. When questioned about the incident outside the courtroom Turpie stated: "I'm sorry that I was so stupid because it's a big thing, drink-driving, you won't be seeing me here again."
Cancer
On 18 February 2011 it was announced that Turpie had been diagnosed with cancer. Turpie has been married to his wife Jan for over 35 years and has three children and three grandchildren.The family has asked for privacy during his treatment and has declined media requests to sell his story.
Awards
- Logie AwardLogie AwardThe TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
, Most Popular Western Australia Show, Turpie Tonight (1983) - Penguin AwardPenguin AwardThe Penguin Award is an annual award given for excellence in broadcasting by the Television Society of Australia. It was founded in 1954.The award trophy depicts an ear listening to a television tube, but strongly resembles a penguin....
, Best Light Entertainment, The New Price Is Right (1982) - Penguin Award, Best Light Entertainment, The New Price Is Right (1985)
Filmography
- Funny Things Happen Down UnderFunny Things Happen Down UnderFunny Things Happen Down Under is a 1965 Australian musical/family film directed by Joe McCormick. Today it is best remembered for being Olivia Newton-John's first film.-Plot:...
, as Lennie (1965) - Heaven's BurningHeaven's BurningHeaven's Burning is a 1997 Australian film directed by Craig Lahiff and written by Louis Nowra.-Plot:Midori Takada arrives in Sydney with her new husband Yukio . She believes her marriage is a mistake and uses the honeymoon as a means to escape by walking out of their hotel room...
, cameo as used car salesman (1997) - All the Way (1998)
- Somewhere in the Darkness, as the Weatherman (1998)
- Kissing Kimberley Cooper (TropfestTropfestTropfest is the world's largest short film festival.Tropfest began in 1993 as a screening for 200 people in a cafe in Sydney but has since become the largest platform for short films in the world. Tropfest Australia takes place in February each year in front of a live audience of approximately...
film)
Acting
- Homicide (1964) 1 episode
- The Magic Boomerang (1965) 1 episode
- Consider Your VerdictConsider Your VerdictConsider Your Verdict is an Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for the Seven Network originally screening from February 1961 through to June 1964. It was based on a radio series with the same name broadcast on 3DB in Melbourne from 1958 to 1960.The television series was...
(1966) 1 episode - Always GreenerAlways GreenerAlways Greener was an Australian television drama/comedy series that aired on the Seven Network which followed the fortunes of two families, one from the city and the other from the country, when they decide to switch homes and start a new direction in life for themselves...
as Rolan Fields (2002–2003) 6 episodes - Swift and Shift CouriersSwift and Shift CouriersSwift and Shift Couriers is an Australian comedy television series that first screened on SBS TV in October 2008. The series is produced, directed and written by Paul Fenech, who was also responsible for the comedy series Pizza. It is set around the staff who work at the 'Swift and Shift' Courier...
as Keith Warne (2008, 2011) 19 episodes - Double the FistDouble the FistDouble the Fist is an Australian satirical television show which airs on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It follows the misadventures of four men and their pursuit of "fistworthiness": host Steve Foxx , and his three offsiders; Rod Foxx , Mephisto , and The Womp .The series has also been...
as M.C (2008) 1 episode - HousosHousosHousos is an Australian comedy television series created by Paul Fenech for SBS, that screens on SBS One. The series is a satirical parody of low income Australian residents, who are living in Housing Commission public housing.-Cast:...
as Wazza (2011)
Host regular
- Sing, Sing, Sing (replacing Johnnie O'Keefe)
- The Go!! Show
- Time for Terry co-host with Terry O'Neill
- Surprise, Surprise — co-host with Tommy Hanlon JrTommy Hanlon JrTommy Hanlon Jr was an American-born Australian media personality, notable for his early television appearances as host of It Could Be You....
- The New Price Is Right
- The Price Is Right
- Newlyweds Game
- Press Your Luck, Seven NetworkSeven NetworkThe Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
(1987–1988) - Supermarket Sweep, Nine NetworkNine NetworkThe Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
(1992–1994) - Club BuggeryClub BuggeryClub Buggery is the title of an Australian television series of the 1990s. It was created and performed by Australian comedy duo Roy and HG and broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation network in 1996 and 1997.-Development:The series was an offshoot the duo's long-running,...
, ABCAustralian Broadcasting CorporationThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
(1996–1997) - Turpie Tonight
Guest appearances
- The Young Entertainers
- This is your Life (with Mike Munro)
- Love is in the Air
- Long Way to the Top
- All the Way
- Theatre Royal
- Revue 7
- TeenTime
- Kommotion
- Bandstand (Brian Henderson)
- Steve Vizard Tonight
- Bert Newton Show
- Blankety Blanks (Graham Kennedy)
- Family Feud (Rob Brough)
- The Fat (Tony Squires)
- Mike Walsh Show
- Don Lane Show
- Hey Hey It's Saturday (Daryl Somers)
- Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
- Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
- Penthouse Club (Mary Hardy)
- Bandstand
- A Guy Called Athol
- ABC Follies
- The Melbourne Show
- Supermarket Sweep
- Spicks & Specks
- We'll Call You
Theatre
- Toad of Toad Hall, Boronia State School
- Peter Pan, Princess Theatre
- Nude with Violin (with Sir Robert Helpmann), Comedy Theatre
- Auntie Mame (with Shirl Conway), Princess Theatre
- MacBeth, National Theatre
- Bye Bye Birdie, Her Majesty's Theatre
- Rock Opera — Hero, Seymour Centre (with Graham Bond)
- Rock Opera — Jesus Christ Superstar (with Marcia Hines & John English), St George Leagues Club
- Bull and Bush Theatre Restaurant Show "Bubble & Squeak" (with Noel Ferrier & Jill Perryman)
Discography
- Turps is the Talk of the Town
- Decimal point (1967) (For the decimalisationDecimalisationDecimal currency is the term used to describe any currency that is based on one basic unit of currency and a sub-unit which is a power of 10, most commonly 100....
of New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
)
Charity work
Turpie has been involved with the following charities: Australia Day ambassador (since 1995), Make a Wish Foundation, Merry Makers, Sunnyfield Association, Meningococcal Association, Children with Cancer, Lifeforce, Sydney Children's HospitalSydney Children's Hospital
Sydney Children's Hospital is an Australian children's hospital located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales.On 1 July 2010 it became part of the newly formed 'Sydney Children's Hospital Network incorporating the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children'.The Sydney Children's Hospital is...
(Celebrity Golf Days), Alzheimer's Australia NSW and Rotary Club.