Legendary Australian actor Terence Donovan died in Melbourne on Saturday at the age of 90. His death was announced by his son, actor Jason Donovan, on Instagram.
"It is with great sadness but also a sense of celebration of a long, full life that myself and my brother Paul announce our father Terence died peacefully last night here in Melbourne," Jason Donovan wrote in a statement. "Obviously this is an extremely emotional time and we ask you to respect our privacy."
He paid tribute to the staff at Cabrini Hospital in Melbourne for their care during his father's final days and described Donovan as a "huge character" and "larger than life."
Donovan's career spanned nearly seven decades, beginning in the early 1960s. He was a prominent figure in Australian television and film, with notable roles in the TV series "Homicide," "Sons and Daughters," and "The Flying Doctors." He also appeared in the films "Breaker Morant" and "The Man from Snowy River."
He had a connection to the iconic Australian soap opera "Neighbours," appearing on the show alongside his son Jason and granddaughter Jemma. Donovan's final acting role was in 2022, reprising his character Doug Willis on "Neighbours."
Born in London in October 1935, Donovan moved to Australia in the late 1950s. He was married to Australian TV presenter Sue McIntosh from 1965 to 1972, and they had one son, Jason, in 1968. Jason Donovan has followed in his father's footsteps, also appearing in "Neighbours" and other productions.
Donovan's granddaughter, Jemma Donovan, also continued the family's acting legacy, appearing on "Neighbours" from 2019 to 2022. She previously shared that her father was moved to tears when she secured her recurring role on the long-running series.