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) Malvern, Victoria, Australia
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 an Australian actor and singer who became a star in the 1980s. He first became famous playing Scott Robinson in the popular Australian TV show Neighbours. After leaving the show, he started a successful music career in 1988.

In the United Kingdom, Donovan has sold over 3 million records. His first album, Ten Good Reasons, was the best-selling album in the UK in 1989. He has also had four UK No. 1 hit singles. Donovan is also a well-known stage actor, famous for playing the main role in the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the early 1990s.

Early Life and Family

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

After his parents separated, Jason was raised by his father. He went to De La Salle College in Malvern.

Career Beginnings

First Steps in Television

Donovan started his acting career when he was just 11 years old. His first role was in the Australian TV series Skyways in 1980. In that episode, his on-screen sister was played by Kylie Minogue, who would later become his co-star in Neighbours.

He appeared in other shows like I Can Jump Puddles (1981) and Golden Pennies (1985). In 1986, he joined the cast of Neighbours as Scott Robinson. His character's romance and wedding to Charlene Mitchell, played by Kylie Minogue, became a huge hit with viewers in both Australia and the UK.

Awards and Recognition

His role in Neighbours earned him several awards. He won his first Logie Award for "Best New Talent" in 1987. In 1988, he won the Silver Logie for "Most Popular Actor" on Australian television.

Donovan also acted in the 1988 World War II mini-series The Heroes. For this role, he won the 1990 Logie Award for "Most Popular Actor in a Mini-Series". He left Neighbours in 1989 to focus on new projects.

Pop Music Stardom

Signing with PWL

While still on Neighbours, Donovan decided to start a music career, just like his co-star Kylie Minogue. He signed a record deal with Mushroom Records in Australia and PWL in the UK. The famous music producers Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) produced his songs.

His first single, "Nothing Can Divide Us," came out in 1988. It was a big success, reaching number five in the UK and number three in Australia.

Number One Hits

Donovan's next single was a duet with Kylie Minogue called "Especially for You". Released in late 1988, the song was a massive hit. It reached No. 1 in the UK in January 1989 and became one of the best-selling singles of the year.

In March 1989, his song "Too Many Broken Hearts" also went to number one in the UK. His first album, Ten Good Reasons, was released in May 1989 and also topped the charts. For a short time, Donovan had the number one single and the number one album in the UK at the same time.

Second Album and World Tour

Donovan released his second album, Between The Lines, in May 1990. It was another hit, reaching Platinum status in the UK. The album included five Top 30 singles.

In 1990, he went on a big world tour called the "Doin' Fine Tour". He performed in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. This tour helped him become a popular live performer.

A Career on the Stage

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

In 1991, Donovan took on the lead role in the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium. The show was a huge success. His version of the song "Any Dream Will Do" from the musical became his third solo UK No. 1 single.

After leaving the show in 1992, he released his third album, All Around The World, in 1993.

Later Stage and Screen Roles

Throughout his career, Donovan has continued to act in musicals, plays, and films. In 1998, he played the lead role in the UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show.

From 2003 to 2005, he acted in the Australian TV drama MDA. In 2004, he starred in the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in London. He has also appeared in other popular shows like Sweeney Todd and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Recent Career Highlights

Donovan at a 2007 book signing in Waterstones Bournemouth.

Return to Music and Television

In 2006, Donovan appeared on the reality show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and finished in third place. He said the show helped restart his career. In 2008, he released the album Let It Be Me, his first in 15 years.

He has continued to release music, including Soundtrack of the 80s (2010) and Sign of Your Love (2012). He also competed on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2011, where he finished in third place.

Stage, Radio, and Neighbours Finale

Donovan has stayed busy with stage work. He toured with Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds and returned to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2019, this time playing the Pharaoh.

Since 2015, he has hosted a popular 1980s music show on Heart Radio. In 2021, he competed on the TV show Dancing on Ice.

In July 2022, Donovan made a special appearance in what was thought to be the final episode of Neighbours. He returned as Scott Robinson alongside Kylie Minogue as Charlene, bringing their famous characters back to the screen one last time.

From August 2024, Donovan began playing the role of Frank-N-Furter in a UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show.

Personal Life

Donovan is married to Angela Malloch, and they have three children, including actress Jemma Donovan. The family lives in London and Oxfordshire. His half-sister, Stephanie McIntosh, is also an actress known for her role in Neighbours.

In 2010, Donovan appeared on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?. He discovered that one of his ancestors was William Cox, a pioneer who built the first road across Australia's Blue Mountains in 1814.

Discography

• 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)

Filmography

Film and television

Theatre

Awards

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards, or Mo Awards, were given for achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Jason Donovan won one award during that time.

See also

In Spanish: Jason Donovan para niños