Australian actor and original Play School presenter Donald MacDonald dead at 86

Australia Broadcast Center

01-07-2025

Australian actor Donald MacDonald, who was one of the first Play School presenters, has died at the age of 86.
MacDonald, who performed in Australia and the United Kingdom, died of cancer on the Gold Coast in the early hours of Monday.
Cousin and fellow actor Paula Duncan said she would never forget MacDonald's storytelling ability, comedic flair and impeccable sense of timing.
"Donald was like a big brother to me — I grew up with him and he helped train me," she said.
"I've had an adoration for him all my life.
MacDonald's career in film, television and on the stage spanned decades and included credits on The Box, Cop Shop and A Town Like Alice.
More recently he appeared in Rake, Kenny and Superman Returns.
Duncan said MacDonald was humble by nature.
"He was someone who appreciated life but was never vain or a personality that wanted a lot of attention — in fact he'd probably shy away from it," she said.
Duncan said MacDonald also wrote plays and novels.
"His career was so substantial," she said.
"It's kind of sad in a way, because all this media is going to come out now.
"I wish it came out when he was alive and all these people could see what he actually did — he was just extraordinary.
Showbusiness reporter and friend Craig Bennett said he shared a cheers with MacDonald in the hospital on the weekend.
He said MacDonald's career, which began in Sydney, showcased his range.
"[Including] The Box, the sex-and-sin soapie of the 1970s, where he played a closeted gay newsreader," Bennett said.
"Back then people clutched their pearls and grabbed their smelling salts because we didn't hear much of these things.