Jason Donovan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jason Donovan
Donovan performing at the Here and Now Tour in 2011
Born	(1968-06-01) 1 June 1968 (age 57) Melbourne suburb Malvern, Victoria.
Occupation	Actor, singer
Years active	1980–present
Television	Neighbours MDA
Spouse(s)	Angela Malloch ​ (m. 2008)​
Children	3, including Jemma Donovan
Parent(s)	Terence Donovan (father) Sue Menlove (mother)
Relatives	Stephanie McIntosh (half-sister)
Musical career
Genres	Pop
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1988–present
Labels	PWL Polydor UMTV

Jason Sean Donovan (born 1 June 1968) is a famous Australian actor and singer. He first became well-known for playing Scott Robinson in the popular Australian TV show Neighbours. After that, he started a music career in 1988. In the UK, he has sold more than 3 million records! His first album, Ten Good Reasons, was the best-selling album in the UK in 1989. He also had four songs reach number one in the UK. Jason has starred in many stage musicals, like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the early 1990s.

About Jason Donovan

Early Life and Family

Jason Donovan was born on June 1, 1968, in Malvern, a suburb of Melbourne. His mother is Australian actress Sue McIntosh. His father is Terence Donovan, a British-born actor who also appeared in Neighbours.

When Jason was five years old, his parents separated. His father was given full care of him in 1973. Jason went to De La Salle College Malvern for school.

Starting His Career in TV

Jason first appeared on TV when he was just 11 years old. This was in an Australian show called Skyways in 1980. Interestingly, his future Neighbours co-star, Kylie Minogue, played his sister in that episode!

He also acted in other series like I Can Jump Puddles (1981) and Golden Pennies (1985).

Becoming a Star in Neighbours

In 1986, Jason joined the cast of Neighbours. He took over the role of Scott Robinson. His character had a very popular romance and wedding with Charlene Mitchell, played by Kylie Minogue. This storyline made the show even more popular in both Australia and the UK.

Jason won his first Logie Award for "Best New Talent" in 1987. He also received a special mention from the Television Society of Australia. In 1988, he won the Silver Logie for "Most Popular Actor" on Australian TV.

He also appeared in a mini-series called The Heroes in 1988. This show was about World War II. Jason won another Logie Award for "Most Popular Actor in a Mini-Series" in 1990 for this role.

Jason left Neighbours in 1989. He was asked to return for the show's 25th anniversary in 2010, but he couldn't because of other work.

Jason's Pop Music Success

First Songs and Albums

While still on Neighbours, Jason signed a music deal. He joined Mushroom Records in Australia and PWL in the UK. The famous music producers Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) worked with him.

His first song, "Nothing Can Divide Us," came out in 1988. It reached number five in the UK and number three in Australia.

Duet with Kylie Minogue

Jason's next song was a duet with Kylie Minogue called "Especially for You." It was released in late 1988. This song became a huge hit, reaching number one in the UK in January 1989. It sold over one million copies and was one of SAW's biggest hits!

Jason also changed his look around this time, getting a more modern haircut.

Number One Hits

His next song, "Too Many Broken Hearts," also reached number one in the UK in March 1989. Then, his first album, Ten Good Reasons, came out in May 1989 and also hit number one for three weeks.

For two weeks, Jason had both the number one single and number one album at the same time! This happened when his song "Sealed With a Kiss" went straight to number one.

In December 1989, Jason joined Band Aid II to record "Do They Know it's Christmas." Kylie Minogue was also part of this charity song.

Later Music and Tours

Jason released his second album, Between The Lines, in May 1990. It was also produced by Stock Aitken Waterman. This album did well, reaching Platinum status in the UK.

He went on a big world tour in 1990 called "The Doin' Fine Tour." He performed in the UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Stage and Acting Roles

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

In 1991, Jason took on a big role in the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in London. He had another number one hit with one of the songs from the show, "Any Dream Will Do." He left the show in early 1992.

Other Stage and TV Roles

Jason released another album in 1993, All Around The World, but it wasn't as successful. He then focused more on acting.

In 1995, he starred in an Australian TV film called The Last Bullet. In 1998, he played Dr. Frank N. Furter in a UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show.

From 2002 to 2003, Jason was in the TV series MDA. He also voiced the character Buzz in the Buzz! video game series.

In 2004 and 2005, he starred in the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in London. After that, he toured the UK in Sweeney Todd in 2006.

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

In 2006, Jason took part in the TV show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. He finished in third place. He had to do many challenges, like wearing a helmet full of insects! Jason later said that being on the show helped his career.

Donovan at a 2007 book signing in Waterstones Bournemouth.

More Music and Stage Work

In 2007, Jason performed songs from Joseph at the Concert for Diana. In 2008, he was in the TV show Echo Beach.

He released a new album, Let It Be Me, in 2008. It was his first album in 15 years and reached number 28 in the UK.

In 2009, Jason starred as Tick (Mitzi) in the London musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He also appeared in TV commercials for the supermarket chain Iceland.

Strictly Come Dancing and Recent Work

In 2010, Jason was part of the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?, where he learned about his family history. His fifth album, Soundtrack of the 80s, was released that year.

In 2011, Jason toured with The Sound of Music, playing Captain Von Trapp. Later that year, he competed in Strictly Come Dancing and finished third.

He released another album of cover songs, Sign Of Your Love, in 2012. He also appeared as a judge on the TV talent show Superstar.

In 2013, Jason went on tour again with Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He was asked to return to Neighbours for its 30th anniversary in 2015, but he decided not to. However, he did appear in a documentary about the show.

Radio and Return to Joseph

Since 2015, Jason has hosted a radio show called "Jason Donovan's 80s Rewind" on Heart Radio.

In 2016, he toured the UK with his "Ten Good Reasons and Greatest Hits" tour. In 2019, Jason returned to the London Palladium for a new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This time, he played the Pharaoh.

Recent Appearances

In 2021, Jason competed in Dancing on Ice. He had to leave the show early due to a back injury.

In July 2022, Jason made a special appearance as Scott Robinson in the final episode of Neighbours, alongside Kylie Minogue. The show was later brought back by Amazon.

From August 2024, Jason started playing Frank-N-Furter again in a UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show.

Jason's Personal Life

Jason Donovan is married to Angela Malloch. They have three children together. They live in West London and Oxfordshire. Jason's half-sister is Stephanie McIntosh, who was also in Neighbours.

In the TV show Who Do You Think You Are? in 2010, Jason found out that he is related to William Cox. William Cox was a pioneer who built the first road across Australia's Blue Mountains in 1814. Jason also learned that he has Jewish heritage through his great-grandmother.

Jason was in a relationship with Kylie Minogue from 1986 to 1989.

Music Albums

• Ten Good Reasons (1989)
• Between the Lines (1990)
• All Around the World (1993)
• Let It Be Me (2008)
• Soundtrack of the 80s (2010)
• Sign of Your Love (2012)

Film and TV Shows

Theatre Roles

Awards

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards are yearly awards for live entertainment in Australia. Jason Donovan won one of these awards.

See also

In Spanish: Jason Donovan para niños