Aussie Screen Icon Donald Macdonald Passes Away
Australian screen legend and original ‘Play School’ presenter Donald Macdonald has died following a battle with cancer. He was 86.
A highly respected actor and one of the original presenters on ‘Play School’ when it launched in 1966, Donald Macdonald is remembered by family, friends and fans for his warm and loving nature, calling him a gentleman.
The news of Donald’s passing was shared by journalist Craig Bennett on Monday.
“One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today,” the post said.
“Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen, who’d written smash hit plays like ‘Caravan’, dazzled on London’s West End, and delighted millions over the decades with his starring turns on TV series like ‘Play School’ where he was a presenter from 1966 to 1969.”
Donald Macdonald was born in Sydney in 1938. Following his tenure on ‘Play School’, Donald went on to establish a formidable career spanning more than 40 years as an actor and writer.
He starred in his own show TV series ‘I Married a Bachelor’ and became a well-known face through guest appearances in ‘Skippy the Bush Kangaroo’, ‘The Pathfinders’, ‘A Country Practice’, ‘Cop Shop’, ‘Skyways’, ‘Rafferty’s Rules’ and ‘Rake’. Donald’s film credits include international blockbuster ‘Superman Returns’ and local hit ‘Kenny’.
Donald Macdonald was also an accomplished playwright, having penned the award-winning stage play ‘Caravan’ as well as ‘Hot Taps’, ‘Giuseppe’, ‘Saints Alive’, ‘Seasons’, ‘Boulevard Play’, and ‘Truth’.
In 1991, Donald was awarded an A.O. (Officer of the Order of Australia) for his work as General Manager of the Australian Opera, as well as an A.C. (Companion of the Order of Australia) in 2006 for his contribution to national life and creative industries, including public broadcasting.
A giant of Australian stage and screen, Donald was a down-to-earth man who brought a sense of empathy and human understanding to all of his work.
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