Actor Biography

Russ Abbot is today acknowledged as one of the most popular entertainers in Britain, with success across both TV and theatre.

He most recently played the role of ‘Hobbo’ in the latest series of  BBC 1’s ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, alongside Brian Murphy (Alvin) and Burt Kwouk (Entwistle).

As well as the role of ‘Fagin’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver! at the London Palladium, The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on tour and at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Russ’ other West End theatre credits include  ‘Grandpa Potts’ in the hit musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang immediately following a hit season as Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Other hugely successful West End runs include Neil Simon’s Little Me; Willy Russell’s One for the Road.  He starred in the title role of Dr Dolittle on tour; Russ Abbot’s Palladium Madhouse at the London Palladium and the European premiere of Goosebumps Live On Stage at the Opera House, Blackpool.  He appeared to great acclaim in the West End run of Ray Cooney’s Caught In The Net with Eric Sykes and completed a national tour of the production.

Other theatre credits include the national tour of Oscar Wilde’s ‘Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime’  in which he played the role of ‘Septimus Podgers’ and he received rave reviews for the role of 'Bottom' in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park.  During the same season he also received excellent reviews as ‘Sir Pellinore’ in ‘Camelot’.

He has had massive TV success with his own hugely popular series – Russ Abbot’s Madhouse (LWT, six series); The Russ Abbot Show (BBC, six series); The Russ Abbot Show (Granada TV, two series) as well as three series of September Song for Granada TV in which he starred with Michael Williams, Married For Life for Carlton TV and countless specials and other appearances.   He was the voice of the narrator in the high rating children’s TV show Dream Street for ITV and he also regularly guested on BBC1 TV’s popular series TV To Go.

Russ’ shows have been screened on prime-time TV throughout the United States and Australia. Radio shows include five series of the Russ Abbot Show for BBC Radio 2.

His awards include the Advertising Industry’s Golden Break Award for Best Actor in a TV Commercial, Top Variety Act in the British Comedy Awards; Comedian of the Decade; Funniest Man On Television in Europe and for five years running was voted by TV viewers Funniest Man on Television in Britain.

As well as a gold album, his record releases include 3 hit singles, including the hugely successful Atmosphere which got to No 7 in the pop charts,  A Day in the Life of Vince Prince and another Top 20 hit, All Night Holiday.

He has had the honour of being the subject of both the BBC’s acclaimed This is Your Life and also ITV’s Star Lives.

Russ has been honoured by the Variety Club of Great Britain twice, once with a tribute for his 40th Birthday when he was given the silver heart. He has also had the great honour of being awarded the Gold Heart for his contributions to the Variety Club.