Ian Turpie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ian Turpie
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Studio NWS-9 (Channel 9) headshot of Turpie
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| Born |
Ian Bruce Turpie
6 November 1943 |
| Died | 11 March 2012 (aged 68) Narraweena, New South Wales, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Other names | "Turps" |
| Alma mater | Hector Crawford Drama School |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1953–2012 |
| Television | The New Price Is Right Supermarket Sweep |
| Spouse(s) |
Jan Hamilton
(m. 1968) |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Mo Award Penguin Award Logie Award |
Ian Bruce Turpie (born 6 November 1943 – died 11 March 2012), also known as Turps, was a famous Australian performer. He was an actor in theatre, TV, and films. He was also a pop singer and a host on TV and radio.
Ian was well-known for hosting the teen music TV show The Go!! Show from 1965 to 1966. He also hosted popular TV game shows like The Price Is Right (1981–1985, 1989) and Supermarket Sweep (1992–1994).
As a TV actor, he played Keith Warne in Swift and Shift Couriers (2008, 2011). He was also Wazza and the Narrator in Housos (2011). Ian Turpie passed away in 2012 at the age of 68.
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Early Life and Start in Entertainment
Ian Bruce Turpie was born on 6 November 1943 in Ferntree Gully, Victoria. His father, Don Turpie, was a shipping clerk. Ian grew up with six brothers and sisters.
He went to Boronia State School. There, he enjoyed gymnastics and acting in school plays. His first main role was in a play called Toad of Toad Hall when he was 10.
Ian started his entertainment career very young. At age 10, he was accepted into the Hector Crawford Drama School. He also became a well-known child actor on radio. He appeared in radio shows with famous performers like Robert Helpmann.
As a teenager, Ian started focusing on music. He played guitar, wrote songs, and sang. By the time he was 16, he was already an experienced performer. He toured Australia in stage shows like Peter Pan (1957) and Bye Bye Birdie (1961).
Television Career
Ian Turpie made his TV acting debut in 1964. He appeared in a courtroom drama called Consider Your Verdict. Later that year, he was in the first episode of the police TV series Homicide.
In the early 1960s, Ian performed on popular TV shows like Bandstand. He even took over from Johnny O'Keefe as the host of the national TV pop music show Sing, Sing, Sing.
Ian was an early boyfriend of the famous singer Olivia Newton-John. They appeared together in a 1965 Australian musical TV movie called Funny Things Happen Down Under. This was Olivia Newton-John's first acting role.
From mid-1965 to late 1966, Ian was chosen to host The Go!! Show. This was a popular variety show for teenagers.
Game Show Host
In the 1980s, Ian Turpie became a very famous face across Australia. He hosted the game show The New Price Is Right from 1981 to 1985, and again in 1989.
After The Price Is Right, he hosted two other game shows. These were Press Your Luck (1987–1988) and Supermarket Sweep (1992–1994).
Later TV Roles
Ian Turpie also became a cult favorite for his role on Club Buggery (1995–1997). He was known for his funny performances and comedic talents. He also had a recurring role as a singer named Rolan Fields in the drama series Always Greener (2001–03).
From 2000, he acted in the TV comedy series Pizza. He also had a main role in Housos (2011) as Wazza Jones, who was also the show's narrator. He played the depot manager Keith Warne in Swift & Shift Couriers in 2008 and 2011.
Personal Life
Ian Turpie dated Olivia Newton-John for about five years when he was younger. He played guitar for her when she auditioned for a talent show in 1964, which she won.
Ian Turpie married Jan Hamilton, a model, in 1968. They had three children together. Because of Ian's career, his family moved to Sydney in 1974.
Death
On 18 February 2011, it was announced that Ian Turpie had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. He passed away on 11 March 2012, at the age of 68. When The Price is Right started a new version in 2012, the host Larry Emdur dedicated the first episode to Ian Turpie's memory.
Awards and Recognition
Ian Turpie received several awards during his career.
- Penguin Award, Best Light Entertainment, The New Price Is Right (1985)
- Logie Award, Most Popular Western Australia Show, Turpie Tonight (1983)
- Penguin Award, Best Light Entertainment, The New Price Is Right (1982)
In 2010, Ian Turpie was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Mo Awards. These awards recognize achievements in live entertainment in Australia.
Film and TV Appearances
Ian Turpie appeared in several films and many TV shows throughout his career.
Films
- Funny Things Happen Down Under, as Lennie (1965)
- Heaven's Burning, as a used car salesman (1997)
- Somewhere in the Darkness, as the Weatherman (1998)
Acting on TV
- Consider Your Verdict (1964)
- Homicide (1964)
- Pizza as Ian Clinton (2000)
- Always Greener as Rolan Fields (2002–2003)
- Swift and Shift Couriers as Keith Warne (2008, 2011)
- Housos as Wazza (2011)
Hosting TV Shows
- Club Buggery, ABC (1996-1997)
- The Go!! Show
- Sing, Sing, Sing
- Supermarket Sweep, Nine Network (1992-1994)
- The Newlyweds Game, Network Ten (1968), Nine Network (1987)
- The New Price Is Right (1981–1986)
- The Price Is Right (1989)
- Press Your Luck, Seven Network (1987–1988)
Guest Appearances on TV
Ian Turpie was a guest on many other TV shows, including:
- This is your Life
- Bandstand
- Bert Newton Show
- Hey Hey It's Saturday
- Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
- Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
- Spicks and Specks
Theatre Performances
Ian Turpie performed in many stage plays and musicals.
- Peter Pan (December 1957)
- Auntie Mame (February 1959)
- Macbeth, National Theatre
- Bye Bye Birdie (July 1961)
- Jesus Christ Superstar (April 1978)
Charity Work
Ian Turpie was very involved in charity work. He was an Australia Day ambassador starting in 1995. He supported many charities, including:
- Make a Wish Foundation
- Merry Makers
- Sunnyfield Association
- Meningococcal Association
- Children with Cancer
- Lifeforce
- Sydney Children's Hospital (Celebrity Golf Days)
- Alzheimer's Australia NSW
- Rotary Club
