George Rikard Bell (born 1911, disappeared October 1936), better known by the stage name Brian Abbot, was an Australian actor best known for playing the male lead in Orphan of the Wilderness (1936) and the circumstances of his death.

[1] He had a great love of sailing and originally wanted to be a sailor for a career, but worked on two vessels which later sunk, TSS Kanowna and SS Christina Frazer.

[5] Brian (still known as George Rikard Bell)[6] pursued a variety of jobs to support his struggling young family but it was difficult to find work.

[12] Abbot's wife, Grace Rikard Bell, later sued the Producers and Citizens' Co-operative Assurance Co., Ltd. over her husband's death, claiming the company promised to insure his life for £1,000.

[13] A significant number of boats have gone missing in the stretch of water between Sydney and Lord Howe Island over the years.