Neighbours Star Terence Donovan Dead at 90
British‑Australian actor Terence Donovan—known for his roles on Neighbours and Home and Away—has died at age 90, his family announced.
Donovan passed peacefully in Melbourne on Saturday night, according to a post from his son, actor Jason Donovan, who described the elder as a huge character and larger than life.
London‑born Donovan moved to Australia as a teenager, began his career as a singer and then made his screen debut in the early 1960s. Ten years later he secured two iconic roles as Detective Mick Peters in Division 4 and Detective Senior Sergeant Vic Cameron in Cop Shop.
He joined Neighbours in the 1990s as Doug Willis shortly after Jason left the show, and also portrayed Al Simpson on Home and Away. His film work included The Man from Snowy River and Breaker Morant, and he appeared on stage throughout his six‑decade career.
In a tribute, Jason noted that Donovan used his profile to champion an Australian film and television industry during the 1970s, leading to a mandate that broadcasters air Australian stories. The campaign helped grow the industry and inspired classics such as Picnic at Hanging Rock, Priscilla, Muriel’s Wedding, Crocodile Dundee and Strictly Ballroom.
