In 1980, Abbott relocated from Portland to Hollywood ("in the middle of the actors' strike, and I didn't know anyone," he recalls). Shortly afterwards, he was cast as the villain in the movie Tag: The Assassination Game. He met his Future (first) wife, Linda Hamilton on the set. In 1985, he appeared as Dr. Dan Cain Stuart Gordon's sci-fi horror film Re-Animator (1985), as well as the Brian Yuzna-directed sequel, Bride of Re-Animator (1990). He would later star in Summer Heat (1987), a period drama, opposite Lori Singer and Kathy Bates. He also starred in the horror film Bad Dreams (1988) directed by Andrew Fleming, and the comedy Casual Sex? (1989). Abbot had a lead role in the Futuristic television film Out of Time (1988), opposite Bill Maher.