In 1980, Abbott relocated from Portland to Hollywood ("in the middle of the actors' strike, and I didn't know anyone," he recalled). Shortly afterwards, he was cast as the villain in the movie "". He met his future (first) wife Linda Hamilton on the set. In 1985, he starred as Dr. Dan Cain in Stuart Gordon's sci-fi horror film "Re-Animator" (1985), a role he reprised in the sequel "Bride of Re-Animator" (1990). He later starred in "Summer Heat" (1987), a period drama, with 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). Abbott had a lead role in the futuristic television film "Out of Time" (1988), with Bill Maher.