Ian Turpie

Ian Turpie is an Australian entertainment legend, whose career spans over 50 years.
He has covered virtually every facet of show business with incredible success and remains one of todays most professional and easy-going celebrities.
Born in Melbourne in 1943, Ian began his entertainment career at the tender 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.
In the 70's, Ian moved to Sydney to work the lucrative 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 80's, Ian's name became synonymous with the catchphrase "Come on Down" when he became 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 90's, 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 sublime renditions of such classics as Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", and, complete with suspenders, Rocky Horror Picture's "Time Warp".
Less serious Club Buggery appearances in "Turps about the House", "Captain Ajax" and "Sam Stain" showcased his comedic talents.
From the frenzy of "The Go!! Show" to the cult status of "Club Buggery", Ian Turpie has appeared on almost every major Australian variety television show over the past fifty years.
More recently, Ian's diverse talent and people skills have been utilised by major corporates including Woolworths, Microsoft and Pfizer, as an entertainer, M.C, even auctioneer. His many accolades include a Logie for Best Light Entertainment show "Turpie Tonight", a MO Award and two Penguin awards.