Roger Abbott

Roger Abbott

 Roger Abbott, writer, actor, comedian, producer (born at Birkenhead, Eng 10 July 1946, d at Toronto 26 March 2011). Roger Abbott emigrated to Canada in 1953, arriving in Montréal with his parents and sister. He attended Loyola High School, where he met Don FERGUSON, and in 1963 went on to Loyola College (now Concordia University). Abbott worked in radio as a technician as well as in programming and management before beginning his long career as a founding member of the comedy troupe Royal Canadian Air Farce.

 In 1970 he became one of the original members of the improvisational comedy ensemble The Jest Society, performing alongside future Air Farce colleagues Ferguson, John MORGAN, and Luba GOY. Dave BROADFOOT joined the group when The Jest Society became the Royal Canadian Air Farce and they made their first appearance on CBC radio in 1973. The Air Farce continued to perform on radio and television until 2008, becoming one of the most popular and beloved comedy troupes in Canadian history.

Some of Roger Abbott's most memorable impersonations on Air Farce included former prime minister Jean CHRÉTIEN, singer Leonard COHEN and CBC news anchor Peter MANSBRIDGE. Another popular Air Farce sketch featuring Abbott (with Ferguson) was the "News from Away" segment, a comical newscast featuring two raincoat-clad Newfoundland newscasters, Jimmy and Seamus O'Toole.

Along with Ferguson, Roger Abbott produced the Royal Canadian Air Farce television program. The two collaborated on a number of projects including working as co-executive producers on the sitcom XPM (2004). They produced Dave Broadfoot's three TV specials (1996, 1999 and 2002) and the comedy series Sketchcom (1998). They are also known for their fundraising efforts and co-hosted the Easter Seals telethon on the CBC for over 20 years.

Roger Abbott received many awards and honours as a member of the Air Farce, including the Gemini Humanitarian Award, the GOVERNOR GENERAL'S PERFORMING ARTS AWARD, 15 ACTRA awards, a Juno, and a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. In 1993, he was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree by Brock University in St Catharines, Ont.

His book Air Farce, 40 Years of Flying by the Seat of Our Pants, co-authored with Don Ferguson, was published posthumously in 2011.