Continuing into the 1930s, Abbott cut his teeth as an assistant with a number of talented directors and photographers, including Ernest Palmer, John Seitz, Henry Hathaway, George Stevens and John Ford. But in 1937, Fox was making the film IN OLD CHICAGO, and the special effects department was overloaded with work. Abbott spent three months there helping out, his first official responsibilities in the effects department. In the years that followed, Abbot worked occasionally in effects, meeting the right people and learning the craft, becoming familiar with matte paintings, multiple exposure techniques, glass shots, rear screen projection and more. By 1938, Abbott was deeply involved with miniature visual effects, having been the special effects cameraman on Fox's SUEZ. In 1943, Fred Serson, legendary head of Fox's effects department, asked Abbott to come aboard full time. He agreed, joined the team, and really began honing the skills and talent of a true special effects master.
There is a gap in his credits until 1951 when he worked uncredited on the effects team for Robert Wise's THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, and he's credited for special effects for Julien Duvivier's LE RETOUR DE DON CAMILLO (1953) at Francinex.
When he was appointed head of the Special Effects Department at 20th Century-Fox in 1957, his list of films becomes detailed, beginning with Sam Fuller's FORTY GUNS. Subsequent credits include AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER, A HATFUL OF RAIN, WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER?, THE THREE FACES OF EVE, PEYTON PLACE and THE ENEMY BELOW (all also 1957). From then until his retirement in 1970 -- and a few special large scale projects over the next decade -- Abbott contributed to almost every major Fox film or TV series, over 110 in all. His television work includes the series "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1964-1966, 67 episodes), "The Time Tunnell" (1966-1967, 15 episodes), "Lost in Space" (1965-68, 84 episodes), "Batman" (1967-68, 26 episodes), "Land of the Giants" (1968-69, 34 episodes), and "Planet of the Apes" (1974, unknown episodes).
Abbott received Oscars® for DR. DOLITTLE (1967), TORA! TORA! TORA! (1970), THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972) and LOGAN'S RUN (1976), as well as several Emmys® for his TV work.
Nominated for Special Effects 1959: JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - (Visual) (w. James B. Gordon)
Special Visual Effects 1967: DOCTOR DOLITTLE
Special Visual Effects 1970: TORA! TORA! TORA! (w. A. D. Flowers)
Special Achievement Award 1972: THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE - Visual Effects (w. A. D. Flowers)
Special Achievement Award 1976: LOGAN'S RUN - Visual Effects (w. Glen Robinson & Matthew Yuricich)
3 nominations, 2 Awards, 2 Special Achievement Awards