Dee Donavan – gentleman of showbiz (1994)

Silver Baron wins the ladies' votes

On With the Show's

MO Award-winning Dee Donavan

Flashback to Variety Today 1994

THE entertainment industry's `Silver Baron' - alias Dee Donavan - is enjoying quite a bit of attention from Australia's female population, according to a Sydney Morning Herald columnist.

Dee, who is affectionately known as the Silver Baron, because of his silver hair and distinguished looks, has earned himself another title it seems - as Prince of the Ladies Day Shows.

On top of this he has been nominated for a `MO' Award for best Variety Compere. "He is the darling of the blue rinse set and has a legion of faithful fans across the nation who simply can't get enough of him," said the Herald columnist.

"Having recently watched him go through his paces at Wentworthville Leagues Club, Sydney, I can readily understand what all the fuss is about. Presenting himself in a beautifully-tailored, three piece suit, this tall, silver haired Irishman who has made Australia his home, captivated his audience right from his opening song. He has an easy, relaxed vocal style and a whimsical sense of humour that typifies his Irish background," the columnist wrote.

Dee arrived in Sydney in 1967, having entertained in England, Europe, North America, Vietnam and South East Asia. Before long he had established himself as one of Australia's leading cabaret entertainers.

Last year he was nominated for a MO Award as Variety Compere of the Year. This year he hopes his nomination will culminate in an award. "Winning would give me quite a buzz," he said. "But as it is a peer vote, just being nominated is, I feel, a great compliment."

The Herald columnist had more to say about this great entertainer. "Having watched the Silver Baron captivate his audience with songs, clever gags, impressions and more than his fair share of charm, the tag of Prince of Ladies Day Shows can be confidently added to his credits," the columnist said.

"It suprises me that those who make the decisions in television programming haven't snapped Dee Donavan up by now. He would make the perfect host for a Midday Show. If his countless fans across the nation tune in each day, whatever station took him on would, I feel sure, realise tip-top ratings."

2013 UPDATE

Dee Donavan's career blossomed across a wide range of show business genres including `live' stage performances, television and movies. His movie roles included The Day of the Roses, Babe 2, Passion, the ABC's A Difficult Woman and more recently he appeared with Nichole Kidman in the movie Moulin Rouge and the final episode of the Science fiction series Farscape. Dee is also a songwriter and fashion compere and has packaged his own Irish Production Show 'The Spirit of the Celts'. He has twice received the Australian Industry's prestigious 'Mo Award' as 'Variety Compere of the Year' and no less than six nominations! He also received a nomination for the Australian Club Entertainment 'Ace Award' for excellence in performance. In May 2009 Dee received the 'Medal of the Order of Australia' (O.A.M.) for services to the Entertainment Industry and for his work in the Community in raising funds for a number of Children's Charities!

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