Terence Donovan dies at 90; son Jason leads tributes
Australian actor Terence Donovan has died peacefully in Melbourne at age 90, his sons Jason and Paul announced. The Neighbours and Home and Away star was remembered by Jason as "larger than life," a huge character, and their best friend after a decades-long career on Australian television.
Key Takeaways
- Terence Donovan died aged 90 in Melbourne, with sons Jason and Paul announcing he passed peacefully.
- Jason Donovan called his father "larger than life," their best friend, and "our world."
- Donovan's long TV career included Division 4, Cop Shop, Neighbours, and Home and Away.
- He also appeared in Breaker Morant and The Man From Snowy River, and backed Australian screen content.
- The family thanked staff at Cabrini Hospital Melbourne for his care in his final days.
What happened to Terence Donovan?
Jason Donovan shared the news on social media on Sunday, saying he and brother Paul were announcing their father's death with "great sadness" but also celebration of "a long full life."
According to ABC News, Terence Donovan died peacefully overnight in Melbourne. Jason said the family took comfort knowing they were by his side in his final days, and that he had lived "life to the max."
He thanked staff at Cabrini Hospital Melbourne for looking after his father. For more streaming and soap news, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
How did Jason Donovan remember his father?
Jason described Terence as a "huge character, larger than life," adding: "He was our best friend ... our world." He also wrote: "How lucky are we to have a Dad like you."
On Terence's 90th birthday last year, Jason called him his hero and recalled Bondi Beach boogie boarding and 1970s Melbourne-Sydney road trips with The Beatles' Abbey Road playing in the car.
In a 2001 Australian Story episode, Jason said he was mostly raised by his father after his parents divorced when he was five. Terence told the program he sought and gained full custody.
What was Terence Donovan known for on TV and film?
Born in London in 1935, Donovan moved to Australia with his family at 14. He worked as a singer and stage actor before early TV guest roles, including Consider Your Verdict in 1961.
His breakthrough was Detective Mick Peters on Division 4 (1969-1975). He was also known for Cop Shop (167 episodes), Power Without Glory, Prisoner, Sons and Daughters, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, and Blue Heelers.
He played Doug Willis on Neighbours from 1990 to 1994—after son Jason's Scott Robinson run ended in 1989—and Al Simpson on Home and Away. Film credits included Breaker Morant, Henry Craig in The Man From Snowy River (1982), and an uncredited policeman in Oliver! (1968).
Donovan also campaigned for local drama quotas. In 1970 he marched in Melbourne with Homicide and Division 4 colleagues and later spoke for the Make It Australian committee, criticising concentrated media control and urging responsibility to Australian audiences and entertainment workers.