Allison Argo

Allison Argo (born December 23, 1953) is an American film producer, director, writer, editor, and narrator. She is best known for her documentaries that focus on endangered wildlife and conservation. Her films have received awards including six National Emmy Awards. and the duPont-Columbia Award for journalism.

In her early career as an actress, Argo performed on Broadway, in television, and in film. Her theatre roles included work as an original cast member in two Broadway theatre productions, and her work in television and film included roles in television movies and a major role in a TV series, along with recurring roles in two soap operas.

In 1989, while on location in the state of Washington, Argo happened upon a gorilla caged as an exhibit in a shopping mall. This experience led Argo to produce and direct her first film, The Urban Gorilla (National Geographic 1992), about the lives of captive gorillas. Argo received the duPont-Columbia award for the documentary. Since that time, Argo has dedicated her work towards advocating for the welfare and understanding of wild animals through documentary films and public speaking engagements.

With her production company, ArgoFilms, LTD, Argo has produced eighteen films. Among others, notable award-winning films have included Keepers of the Wild (National Geographic and PBS 1992), The Last Frog (National Geographic 1996), The Secret Life of Cats (National Geographic 1999), The Urban Elephant (National Geographic and PBS NATURE 2000), Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History (PBS NATURE 2006), Crash: a Tale of Two Species (PBS NATURE 2008), and Parrot Confidential (PBS NATURE 2013), The Last Pig (2017).

Early life Argo was raised on Cape Cod as one of two daughters of Gordon Harold Argo (06/22/1924–07/10/2003) and Elizabeth "Betsy" Argo (née Brunk; 1922–2016), both actors. The Argos owned and operated the Orleans Arena Theater, America's first summer stock theater-in-the-round, in the town of Orleans, Massachusetts. From childhood, she was immersed in theater and the world of drama, which prepared her for a career as a professional actress in New York and Los Angeles.

Career as an actress On Broadway, Argo played major roles as an original cast member in the revivals of Ibsen's The Lady from the Sea (1976), and Tennessee Williams’ The Night of the Iguana (1976–1977), and she appeared in the musical Grease. She played a leading role on the CBS television series Ladies Man and was featured on WKRP in Cincinnati, as well as on ten television movies and pilots. Argo played recurring roles on the soap operas Search for Tomorrow and The Bold and the Beautiful. She also voiced cartoon characters, including the character Andrea in the Cathy animated television specials.

ArgoFilms

Argo's experience seeing the gorilla, Ivan, isolated and on display in an enclosure comprising two concrete rooms in a shopping mall was the catalyst for her forming ArgoFilms, LTD. Concerned about gorillas in similar situations as Ivan's, Argo made them the subject of her first film The Urban Gorilla, which in addition to the duPont-Columbia award was the recipient of two Emmy nominations.

Since The Urban Gorilla, ArgoFilms has gone on to advocate for, among others, frogs, snakes, cats, elephants, chimpanzees, and birds. One film has documented the effects of the September 11 attacks upon people. The Story of Dao, about a street elephant named Pang Dao, has been in pre-production since 2011. A scout (research expedition) was completed in Thailand in 2012. The films have garnered twelve Emmy nominations, with six Emmys having been won in various categories including two for directing. and has also been recognized by the Missoula, Jackson Hole, and Japan Wildlife Film Festivals.

In an April 2014 article in a Cape Cod periodical, Argo has said that the most satisfying aspect of her work is when it makes a difference. Her goal is to open eyes; and if people are given the facts, they will do what they can to improve life. 1976 The Lady From the Sea (Revival) Hilda original cast member 1983 An Uncommon Love TV movie Arvetta 1984 Legmen TV series Linda "I Shall be Re-Released" 1984 The Paper Chase TV series Unnamed Season 2, Episode 8 "Mrs. Hart" 1985 Cry From the Mountain Feature film Laurie Matthews Argo's first feature film 1986 Club Med TV movie Allison 1987 The Bronx Zoo TV series Mrs. McKaren “Conspicuous by Their Abstinence”, “Changes” 1987 Cathy TV movie Andrea (voice) Argo's first animated film 1987 The Bold and the Beautiful TV series Robin West “Episode #1.153”, “Episode #1.151”, “Episode #1.144” 1988 Family Medical Center TV series Unnamed 1988 Cathy’s Last Resort TV movie Andrea (voice) 1989 Vytor: The Starfire Champion TV movie Baboose (voice) 1989 Cathy’s Valentine TV movie Andrea (voice) |1991 Star Street: The Adventures of the Star Kids TV series Moon (voice) Major role

Filmography, awards, and nominations As producer, director, writer, or editor