Terence Donovan, a British-Australian actor known for his roles in the long-running soap operas "Neighbours" and "Home and Away," has died at the age of 90. His family announced his death, stating he passed away peacefully in Melbourne, Australia.
Donovan's son, actor Jason Donovan, shared the news on social media, describing his father as "larger than life" and "our world." He added that the family found comfort in being by his side during his final days. His sons, Jason and Paul, noted that their father lived life to the fullest, embracing adventure.
Born in London, Donovan began his career as a singer after moving to Australia as a teenager. He made his screen debut in the early 1960s. He gained significant recognition in the 1970s and 1980s for his performances in Australian police dramas "Division 4," where he played Detective Mick Peters, and "Cop Shop," as Detective Senior Sergeant Vic Cameron.
In the 1990s, Donovan joined the cast of "Neighbours" as Doug Willis, shortly after his son Jason, who previously starred on the show, had departed. He also appeared on "Home and Away" as Al Simpson.
Beyond television, Donovan had a career spanning six decades, with notable film credits including "The Man from Snowy River" and "Breaker Morant." He also performed on stage.
Jason Donovan highlighted his father's advocacy in the early 1970s, when he used his public profile to campaign for the Australian film and television industry amidst an influx of international content. This effort led to a requirement for commercial television broadcasters to air Australian stories. "Without people like my Dad we might not have seen the growth in the industry during the 70s and 80s," Jason Donovan wrote, citing the impact on subsequent Australian films and television productions.