Abner Ravenwood

Abner Ravenwood was an Egyptologist and archaeologist at the University of Chicago. He was a mentor of Indiana Jones, and the father of Marion Ravenwood. He loved Jones like a son, until he found out that he was involved with his daughter, which led to a falling out of their friendship. He and his daughter later settled in Nepal and started an inn/bar. He is believed to have perished in an avalanche while searching for the Ark of the Covenant in Nepal in 1936.

Behind the scenes
Abner Ravenwood is frequently mentioned but has never appeared in any published Indiana Jones adventure. The character Fedora from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was originally intended to be Ravenwood in early scripts, but the idea was dropped for the final film.

During production on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, George Lucas had the idea for an episode entitled "Jerusalem, June 1909", in which nine-year-old Indiana Jones meets Ravenwood for the first time. However, the episode was never filmed due to the series' cancellation. John Hurt is rumored to be playing Abner in the upcoming film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The Dark Horse comic Indiana Jones and the Lost Horizon was intended to present Ravenwood's story and would have marked the character's first appearance, but the project was scrapped early in development. According to artist Hugh Fleming, actor Wilford Brimley was the model for Abner Ravenwood's planned appearance in the comic. Abner Ravenwood was originally intended to appear as Indy's partner in Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb video game, but it complicated the game design. Concept art for the character&mdash;showing an Abner not quite as hefty as the Fleming version, but still sporting a mustache and fedora&mdash;can be unlocked during the game.

Appearances

 * The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
 * "Jerusalem, June 1909"
 * Indiana Jones and the Lost Horizon
 * Indiana Jones and the Curse of Horror Island
 * Indiana Jones Adventure Temple of the Forbidden Eye
 * Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb
 * Raiders of the Lost Ark
 * The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones
 * Issue 17: "The Search for Abner: The Grecian Earn"
 * Issue 18: "The Search for Abner: The City of Yesterday's Forever!"