Jason Donovan
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Jason Donovan | |
---|---|
Born | Malvern, Victoria, Australia | 1 June 1968
Occupation(s) | Actor, singer |
Years active | 1980–present |
Television | |
Spouse |
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 |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 1988–present |
Labels |
|
Website | jasondonovan |
Jason Sean Donovan (born 1 June 1968) is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap Neighbours, playing Scott Robinson, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 million records. His debut album Ten Good Reasons was the highest-selling album in the UK in 1989, with sales of over 1.5 million. He has had Four UK No. 1 singles. He has also appeared in several stage musicals, most prominently in the lead role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the early 1990s.
Early life
Jason Donovan was born on Saturday, 1 June 1968 in the Melbourne suburb
Career
1980–1989: Television career and Neighbours
Donovan made his first television appearance at age 11 in a guest role on the Australian series
He won his first
In addition to his regular role in Neighbours, Donovan appeared as "Happy Houston" in the 1988 Australian World War II mini-series The Heroes, based on the historical novel by Ronald McKie. He won the 1990 Logie Award for "Most Popular Actor in a Mini-Series".[5]
Donovan left Neighbours in 1989. Twenty years later, he said that he had been asked to return to tie in with the show's 25th anniversary in 2010, but was unable to do so due to other work commitments.[6]
1988–1991: Pop career
While he was still appearing in Neighbours, Donovan followed Minogue (who had already left the series by this point) by pursuing a pop career. His early exploration of music included recording a demo written by pub rock band Noiseworks, and he was offered the chance to record the song "Waiting for a Star To Fall", later a hit for Boy Meets Girl.[7]
However he followed Minogue by signing a recording contract with
Donovan's next single, a duet with Minogue, "Especially for You", was released in late November 1988. While the idea for a duet was at first rejected by SAW, who felt it too commercial, the producers changed their minds when retail chain Woolworths ordered 250,000 copies of the record.[9] Donovan agreed to the duet with Minogue without reservation, feeling it would be good for his career.[7] After spending four weeks at No. 2 in the UK, it hit No. 1 in January 1989. It was the fourth-highest selling single in the UK in 1988, and 17th in Australia for 1989. The track became SAW's biggest ever hit in the UK, ultimately selling in excess of one million copies.[9][10] The issue of UK pop magazine Smash Hits that featured Minogue and Donovan on the cover to promote the release also sold one million copies.[9] The song was accompanied by a widely noted image change for Donovan, who shed his trademark Neighbours mullet for a contemporary undercut.[9]
Donovan's next single, "Too Many Broken Hearts", reached number one in the UK in March 1989.[11] The singer said he initially had no idea the song would go on to be so successful, and thought it might just be an album track.[11] He confessed to at first being underwhelmed by the video, and was surprised by the ecstatic response it earned at his label.[7] However, he now regards the track as one of SAW's best songs, as well as being his defining hit.[11]
He released his début album,
In December 1989, he took part in
Donovan released his second album, Between The Lines, in May 1990, again produced by Stock Aitken Waterman. He had greater creative input on the record, asking for more material that was within his range, after he struggled with some of the vocal requirements of certain songs on his debut album.[7] He has stated that he believes the album's consistent lyrical themes of heartbreak and relationship breakdowns were references by songwriters SAW to his then recent split from Kylie Minogue.[7]
Although the album reached Platinum status in the UK, it was less successful than his debut a year before, peaking at no. 2 and selling only a fifth as many copies. Assessing the performance of the album, Donovan concluded that while it was artistically a much stronger record than his debut album, he felt it was impossible to match the very high UK sales of Ten Good Reasons.[7]
Five singles were released from the second album, and although they all reached the UK Top 30, they also signalled a decline in his popularity. Between 1988 and 1992, Donovan garnered 16 Top 40 hit singles in the UK.
Speaking of the album's commercial performance, Donovan said: "Between the Lines wasn't the successful record that Ten Good Reasons was, but how do you match that? Ten Good Reason's was just a moment in time."[7] He also added that he accepted at the time that "every bubble has to burst", and he knew he'd have to prioritise evolving his career.[12]
Donovan then embarked on an extensive world tour in 1990, The "Doin' Fine Tour", against the wishes of his label, which wanted him available for promotional duties. The tour covered the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe, Australia, Singapore and other parts of South East Asia. The Dublin concert was recorded and released on VHS in 1990; and released on DVD in 2010.
While the decision to tour upset Pete Waterman and Donovan's record label, the singer credits the live shows with ensuring his longevity as a stage performer, after Andrew Lloyd Webber attended one of the shows and was impressed with his performance.[12]
Donovan continued to act alongside his pop career, and in 1990 he appeared in his first feature film, Blood Oath (released in some countries as Prisoners of the Sun).
1991–1993: Stage career and The Face lawsuit
With his 1991 single "R.S.V.P." underperforming on the charts, and his wish to evolve his music towards a more adult, Happy Mondays-inspired sound rejected by Pete Waterman, Donovan was keen to find a new path forward.[13] Donovan's management felt a return to acting was a way to transition, as his "shelf life as a pop star was coming to an end."[13]
He accepted the lead role in the restaged London Palladium version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, directed by Steven Pimlott. Donovan had his third solo UK No. 1 single with one of its songs, "Any Dream Will Do".[13] Donovan left the production in early 1992.
In 1992, Donovan launched a
Donovan moved to Polydor Records and released his third album, All Around The World (1993). However, the album was unsuccessful, failing to reach the UK Top 20 and was not released at all in his native Australia. His contract with Polydor was not extended and it would be Donovan's last album for 15 years.
1995–1999: Drug addiction, The Last Bullet and continued musical work
Donovan later admitted that by 1995 he had a serious drug problem, taking around three grams (1/10 oz) of cocaine a day. In early 1995, he attended model Kate Moss's 21st birthday party at The Viper Room in Los Angeles, where he suffered a drug overdose.[16]
Later in 1995, Donovan starred in the Australian TV film The Last Bullet
In 1998, Donovan took the lead role of
In late 1999, Donovan stated that he still used cocaine, saying: "I still have a joint and I still take coke, but not as much as I did two years ago."[20] In 2011, he stated that he has been drug-free since 2000, the year his first child was born.[21]
2000–2006: Fatherhood, MDA and participation in I'm a Celebrity...
Donovan's daughter Jemma Donovan was born in March 2000. Since then, with his drug problems now under control, he continued to act on stage and television, and had a role in the medical-legal television drama MDA (2003–05), on Australia's ABC network. Since 2003, Donovan has also lent his voice to the Buzz! series of quiz video games.[citation needed]
In late 2004, he was headlining in the stage musical
In 2005, Donovan's mobile phone number was circulated around the web in Australia, due to an image that was taken in Sydney. It appeared that Donovan was trying to sell his car, and unwittingly released his mobile phone number to the public. From 10 September, his answering machine had a special message on it, because he was frustrated by the number of calls he was receiving. Virgin placed advertisements in several high-profile Australian newspapers, urging people not to call Donovan, one of their customers.[22] Virgin Mobile later admitted[when?] that the photos were part of a marketing ploy. Virgin also ran TV advertisements showing Donovan answering prank calls, asking the viewer not to call him, then displaying his number.[citation needed]
Donovan took part in
2007–2009: Return to music career and soap operas
Donovan performed a medley of songs from Joseph along with other actors who have played the eponymous role (Donny Osmond and Lee Mead) at the Concert for Diana in July 2007.[23]
In early 2008, Donovan had a role in ITV's post-watershed soap opera Echo Beach; the series was cancelled after 12 episodes. He also presented Sunday Night with Jason Donovan, a programme on The One Network of British local radio stations.
On 25 September 2008, Donovan performed in the canteen at the head offices of Tesco in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. He was promoting his forthcoming album, Let It Be Me, which was released on 10 November 2008. The album, his first for 15 years, reached No. 28 in the UK.
In 2009, Donovan performed as Tick (Mitzi) in the London stage musical production of
2010–2013: Soundtrack of the 80s, Strictly Come Dancing and Sign of Your Love
In September 2010, Donovan took part in the BBC television series
In February 2011, Donovan appeared on the BBC series
In March 2012, Donovan released a new album of
In 2013, Donovan reprised his role as Tick/Mitzi in the UK national touring production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. On 5 May 2013, Donovan was heard narrating Pick TV's budget version of Rude Tube, entitled Video Surf. Donovan revealed in January 2015 that he was invited to return to Neighbours for the show's 30th anniversary celebrations, but he declined the offer, adding "it's just not something I want to do".[26] However, he agreed to take part in the documentary special Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite, which aired in Australia and the UK in March 2015.[27][28]
2015–2019: Radio, Tours and Joseph return
Since 2015, Donovan has presented Jason Donovan's 80s Rewind (known as All 80s from 2015 to 2017) on Heart Radio, which airs on Sunday evenings from 7 pm until 10 pm.
In 2016, Donovan toured the UK with his Ten Good Reasons and Greatest Hits Tour.
In 2017, Heart 80s Radio was launched and he began presenting Sunday Mornings from 9 am to 12 noon in addition to his 80s Rewind Sunday Evening Show on Heart. In December 2017 it was announced that in the new year Donovan would be taking his second break from his radio shows. [citation needed]
In summer 2019, Donovan returned to the London Palladium in a new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, this time playing the Pharaoh alongside Sheridan Smith as the Narrator and Jac Yarrow as Joseph.[citation needed]
2020–present: Dancing on Ice and Neighbours finale
For Christmas 2020, Donovan was due to make his pantomime debut as The Evil Ringmaster in Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Birmingham Hippodrome, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic the panto was postponed to Christmas 2021.
In 2021, Donavan competed in the
In July 2022, Donovan returned as Scott to Neighbours for a one-off cameo appearance (alongside Kylie Minogue as Charlene) for what was believed (at the time) to be the show's final ever episode.[30][31] Subsequently, Amazon announced that they had picked up the series for their Freevee streaming service, and Amazon started filming the revived series in April 2023.[32][33]
Personal life
Donovan is married to Angela Malloch, with whom he has three children.[34] They live in West London and Oxfordshire.[35] Donovan's half-sister is former Neighbours star Stephanie McIntosh.[36] Although he is estranged from his mother, he is close with his maternal grandmother and other relatives.[37]
Donovan was the subject of an episode of the BBC TV series
Donovan was in a relationship with Kylie Minogue from 1986 to 1989.[citation needed]
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
Year | Title | Format | Role |
---|---|---|---|
1980 | Skyways | TV series | Robin's Brother & Trevor Kirk |
1981 | I Can Jump Puddles | TV movie | Freddy |
1983 | Home | TV series | Unknown |
1985 | Golden Pennies | TV series | Sean |
1986–1989, 2022 | Neighbours | TV series | Scott Robinson |
1989 | The Heroes |
TV mini-series | Happy Huston |
1990 | Prisoners of the Sun | Film | Private Talbot |
1990 | Shadows of the Heart | TV movie | Alex Fargo |
1991 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat |
TV special | Joseph |
1993 | Galleria | Short film | Duane |
1995 | The Last Bullet | TV movie | Stanley Brennan |
1995 | Rough Diamonds | Film | Mike Tyrell |
1996 | The Sun, the Moon and the Stars | Film | Pat |
2000 | Sorted | Film | Martin |
2002 | Tempe Tip | Film | Max |
2003 | Horseplay | Film | Henry |
2003 | Ned | Film | Father Thompson |
2002–2003 | MDA | TV series | Richard Savage |
2004 | Loot | TV movie | Jon Peregrine |
2005–2010 | Buzz! | Video game series | Buzz |
2005 | Vietcong 2 | Video game | Australian Officer |
2008 | Echo Beach | TV series | Daniel Marrack |
2010 | Animals United | Film | Toby (voice) |
2011 | Evil Calls (The Legend of Harrow Woods) | Video film |
Gary |
2011 | Back2Hell | Video film |
Gary |
2012 | PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale | Video game | Buzz |
2014 | Boj | TV series for CBeebies | Pops (voice) |
2014 | Watch Dogs - The Suspect Man | Mission: Big Brother | |
2019 | Dial M for Middlesbrough |
TV series | Darren |
2021 | Not Going Out | TV series | Prince Charming |
Theatre
Year | Title | Format | Role |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
|
London Palladium | Joseph |
1998 | The Rocky Horror Show | UK tour | Frank-N-Furter |
2005 | Chitty Chitty Bang Bang | London Palladium | Caractacus Potts |
2006 | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | UK tour | Sweeney Todd |
2009 | Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | Palace Theatre, London | Mitzi (aka "Tick") |
2010 | Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds | UK arena tour | The Artilleryman |
2011 | The Sound of Music | UK tour | Captain von Trapp
|
2012 | Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds | UK arena tour | Parson Nathaniel |
2013 | Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | UK tour | Mitzi (aka "Tick") |
2014 | Annie Get Your Gun | UK tour | Frank Butler |
2014 | Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds | UK arena tour | Parson Nathaniel |
2015 | The King's Speech | Chichester Festival Theatre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and UK tour | Lionel Logue |
2015 | Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | UK tour | Mitzi (aka "Tick") |
2016 | Million Dollar Quartet | UK tour | Sam Phillips |
2019 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat |
London Palladium | Pharaoh |
2019 | Chicago | Arts Centre Melbourne | Billy Flynn |
2021 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
|
London Palladium | Pharaoh |
2021 | Goldilocks and the Three Bears | Birmingham Hippodrome | The Evil Ringmaster |
2022 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
|
UK tour | Pharaoh |
2022 | Grease | Dominion Theatre, London | Teen Angel |
2022 | Goldilocks and the Three Bears | Mayflower Theatre, Southampton | The Evil Ringmaster |
2023 | The Rocky Horror Show (50th Anniversary Production) | Theatre Royal, Sydney | Frank-N-Furter |
Awards
Mo Awards
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Jason Donovan won one award in that time.[38]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
---|---|---|---|
1991 | Jason Donovan | Australian Showbusiness Ambassador | Won |
References
- ^ Whitney, Hilary (14 November 2009). "Jason Donovan: my family values". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ McLean, Craig (4 March 2012). "The only way is up: The rise and fall (and fall and rise) of Jason Donovan". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ Piers Morgan's Life Stories
- ^ "All Down Under: 1988 Logie Awards".
- Yahoo!7. Archived from the originalon 17 April 2014.
- ^ "'Neighbours' asked Jason Donovan to return - Neighbours News - Soaps". Digital Spy. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 56: Hang On To Your Love (and the journey so far) with Jason Donovan on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 36: The Loco-Motion to Turn It Into Love on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ a b c d "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 40: Especially For You on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ "Kylie and Jason's Especially For You hits one million UK sales. Kylie: "I'm thrilled!"". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ a b c "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 46: Too Many Broken Hearts to I Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 60: One Thing Leads To Another to Another Night on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ a b c "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 67: Better Off Without You to R.S.VP. on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Jason's technicolour life". Sydney Morning Herald. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-0007261475)
- ^ De-Burca, Demelza (21 February 2017). "Jason Donovan visited U2's Dublin studio on a wild coke binge". Irishmirror.ie.
- ^ "The Last Bullet (TV Movie 1995)". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Jason Donovan's killer coke habit". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 September 2007.
- ^ "Jason Donovan 'loved being on cocaine' when he was younger". 30 January 2016.
- ^ "Donovan admits drugs habit". BBC News. 18 February 1999. Retrieved 29 July 2007.
- ^ "TV mirrors life for Jason Donovan". Couriermail.com.au. 19 December 2011.
- ^ "Virgin Mobile notice". Members.iinet.net.au. 6 June 2014.
- ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber medley, featuring". concertfordiana.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2007.
- ^ "Strictly Come Dancing signs up Lulu and Edwina Currie". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ^ "Heart". Heart.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (5 January 2015). "Jason Donovan: 'Neighbours return is not something I want to do'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ Knox, David (28 February 2015). "Airdate: Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite". TV Tonight. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (4 March 2015). "Neighbours 30th anniversary schedule confirmed by Channel 5". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ^ "Dancing on Ice: Jason Donovan quits after injury 'Completely gutted'". Daily Express. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ Murray, Tom (29 July 2022). "Kylie Minogue says a 'heartfelt' email from Jason Donovan convinced her to return for the Neighbours finale". The Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ Spackman, Maisie (29 July 2022). "Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan reveal all on final Neighbours episode". Metro. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Neighbours' next chapter begins filming next month: 'Feels real now'".
- ^ "'Neighbours' Begins Filming New Episodes For Amazon Freevee | TV News | Geektown".
- ^ Strong, Gemma (9 April 2018). "Jason Donovan makes rare public appearance with his teenage children". Hello!. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ "Jason Donovan: Notting Hill & Neighbours Rumours". The Resident. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Hughes, Jonathon (18 March 2020). "Neighbours 35th anniversary: Stephanie McIntosh on working with real-life niece Jemma Donovan". Radio Times. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Jason Donovan". Who Do You Think You Are?. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
External links
- Official website
- Jason Donovan at IMDb