Doug Willis
| Doug Willis | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Terence Donovan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1990–94, 2005, 2014–16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 18 July 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 13 April 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by |
Don Battye (1990) Ric Pellizerri (2005) Jason Herbison (2014) |
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| Spin-off appearances |
Hey Piper (2015) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Builder Motel investor |
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| Family | Willis |
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| Father | Bert Willis |
| Sisters | Faye Hudson |
| Wife | Pam Beresford (1967–2016) |
| Sons |
Adam Willis John Willis Brad Willis |
| Daughters |
Gaby Willis Cody Willis |
| Grandsons |
Zac Willis Ned Willis Josh Willis |
| Granddaughters |
Paige Smith Imogen Willis Piper Willis |
| Grandfathers | Zachary |
| Nephews | Cameron Hudson |
| Other relatives | Matilda Turner |
Douglas "Doug" Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Terence Donovan. Doug was introduced by executive producer Don Battye as the patriarch of the newly introduced Willis family. Donovan explained that being part of "a loving family" was one of the main reasons he accepted the role. He said he was happy to stay around for as long as the producers wanted him. Donovan made his first screen appearance as Doug during the episode broadcast on 18 July 1990.
Doug was portrayed as a man's man, down-to-earth, easy-going and friendly. Doug was a builder, who loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his friends. Despite being "an easy touch" as a father, Doug could balance understanding with discipline. Doug and his wife, Pam (Sue Jones) had a solid marriage until they began to neglect each other due to work. When Doug thought Pam was having an affair with their neighbour Jim Robinson (Alan Dale), he ended up having a one-night stand with Jill Weir (Lyn Semler). Doug's father, Bert (Bud Tingwell), was introduced in 1993. They had had a difficult relationship, but Doug made amends with his father when he learned he was dying. Shortly after, Doug got into debt and lost his job, causing him to sink into a deep depression.
One of Doug's last storylines saw him suffer a health scare in which he had to undergo an emergency operation. The character departed on 15 September 1994, after being written out. In July 2005, Donovan reprised his role as part of the show's 20th anniversary celebrations. He reprised the role again in April 2014 and Doug came to Ramsay Street to visit his family. He was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Doug continued to make guest appearances until his death in April 2016, with his storylines mostly focusing on the progression of his Alzheimer's and how it affects him and his family.
Following a short stint in rival Australian soap opera Home and Away, Donovan joined the cast of Neighbours in 1990. He was cast in the role of Doug, the patriarch of the newly introduced Willis family. The family aspect was one of the main reasons Donovan accepted the part. He told Chris Pritchard from Woman's Own, "I'm very pro that sort of thing. Having been part of two families that broke up in real life, it's nice to be in a loving family – even if it's only make-believe." Donovan added that he was enjoying his time with the show and was happy to stay for as long as the producers wanted him. He made his first screen appearance on 18 July 1990. The actor's son, Jason, previously appeared in the show as Scott Robinson from 1985 to 1989.
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