Before Neighbours started, had you had any previous acting experience?
Yes I started acting professionally at age 13, playing Sam in Sam’s Luck, a series for ABC-TV. I then auditioned for I Can Jump Puddles, also for the ABC, a six-part miniseries based on the book by Alan Marshall – I was cast as Alan’s best friend Joe Carmichael. I did a major guest role for Crawford Productions in Cop Shop, which led to being asked to join the regular cast in The Sullivans as Steve Sullivan for the Nine network. I had also appeared in a film for the South Australian Film Corporation with Annie Jones, and had the lead role in The Kid, directed by Rodney Fisher a joint production by the Playbox and St Martins theatres.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I used to watch a fair bit of television as a young kid. I loved TV shows such as Gilligan's Island and cartoons. I loved the absurd comedy and pure escapism. The thing I guess that really inspired me however, was when I was cast in Ernies Incredible Hallucinations (laughs) as Ernie! It was our grade 5 play at school.
Yes I started acting professionally at age 13, playing Sam in Sam’s Luck, a series for ABC-TV. I then auditioned for I Can Jump Puddles, also for the ABC, a six-part miniseries based on the book by Alan Marshall – I was cast as Alan’s best friend Joe Carmichael. I did a major guest role for Crawford Productions in Cop Shop, which led to being asked to join the regular cast in The Sullivans as Steve Sullivan for the Nine network. I had also appeared in a film for the South Australian Film Corporation with Annie Jones, and had the lead role in The Kid, directed by Rodney Fisher a joint production by the Playbox and St Martins theatres.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I used to watch a fair bit of television as a young kid. I loved TV shows such as Gilligan's Island and cartoons. I loved the absurd comedy and pure escapism. The thing I guess that really inspired me however, was when I was cast in Ernies Incredible Hallucinations (laughs) as Ernie! It was our grade 5 play at school.
As Danny Ramsay, you were an original character on the series – what did you think of the show when you first heard about it?
I didn't want to do it as I was working behind the scenes at the time when my agent asked me to audition. I had just finished as the art department runner on the miniseries The Dunera Boys and landed a job in the art department at Crawford productions. I was looking forward to working my way up and hopefully being the next Francis Ford Coppola! (laughs).
What do you remember about your Neighbours audition?
It was at Channel 7 in Melbourne and Jan Russ the casting director and John Holmes the producer from the Grundy organisation were there. Mark Joffe, who directed the first block of five episodes, who I had worked with on The Sullivans was also there. I get very nervous in auditions and don’t think this one was any different.
The show had a really rocky start with it being axed by Channel 7 after just 170 episodes, only to then be picked up by Channel 10. What was the atmosphere like amongst the cast during this time and did you ever think it would turn around and become the success it is today?
When the show was axed by Channel 7 we were naturally devastated as the original cast were a very tight-knit group. We had worked very hard to attain our initial success, so when the show was picked up by Channel 10 we couldn’t believe it because another network had never commissioned a series after its axing in Australia before. It was an exciting time and I guess for it to be still successful 35 years later is a remarkable achievement by all who have worked on the show over the years.
What are some of your memorable moments, both in front of and behind the camera?
There were many – working with Francis Bell (Max Ramsay) was interesting! (laughing) l never knew what was coming next! (laughing again) He was a terrific actor and a great support and friend. Also Darius Perkins (Scott Robinson) was a very good actor and we became close friends. Working with the likes of Gwen Plum as a guest and the storyline of Danny and Scott running away and ending up at Mrs Forbes farm was particularly good stuff. It gave us a chance to get out of Ramsay Street for a while. I can remember the taxi on the way to the countryside location with Darius one day taking wrong turns! (laughs) And we were 2 and half hours late I think! The Producers were not impressed (laughs). I guess all the moments when the camera was rolling were good as the acting was top class. The down side in television is there is a lot of waiting around when you are filming to get everything right.
I didn't want to do it as I was working behind the scenes at the time when my agent asked me to audition. I had just finished as the art department runner on the miniseries The Dunera Boys and landed a job in the art department at Crawford productions. I was looking forward to working my way up and hopefully being the next Francis Ford Coppola! (laughs).
What do you remember about your Neighbours audition?
It was at Channel 7 in Melbourne and Jan Russ the casting director and John Holmes the producer from the Grundy organisation were there. Mark Joffe, who directed the first block of five episodes, who I had worked with on The Sullivans was also there. I get very nervous in auditions and don’t think this one was any different.
The show had a really rocky start with it being axed by Channel 7 after just 170 episodes, only to then be picked up by Channel 10. What was the atmosphere like amongst the cast during this time and did you ever think it would turn around and become the success it is today?
When the show was axed by Channel 7 we were naturally devastated as the original cast were a very tight-knit group. We had worked very hard to attain our initial success, so when the show was picked up by Channel 10 we couldn’t believe it because another network had never commissioned a series after its axing in Australia before. It was an exciting time and I guess for it to be still successful 35 years later is a remarkable achievement by all who have worked on the show over the years.
What are some of your memorable moments, both in front of and behind the camera?
There were many – working with Francis Bell (Max Ramsay) was interesting! (laughing) l never knew what was coming next! (laughing again) He was a terrific actor and a great support and friend. Also Darius Perkins (Scott Robinson) was a very good actor and we became close friends. Working with the likes of Gwen Plum as a guest and the storyline of Danny and Scott running away and ending up at Mrs Forbes farm was particularly good stuff. It gave us a chance to get out of Ramsay Street for a while. I can remember the taxi on the way to the countryside location with Darius one day taking wrong turns! (laughs) And we were 2 and half hours late I think! The Producers were not impressed (laughs). I guess all the moments when the camera was rolling were good as the acting was top class. The down side in television is there is a lot of waiting around when you are filming to get everything right.
Are there any similarities between you and Danny?
Yes and no! (laughs) At the time I was vulnerable had a good sense of humour, I was cheeky however a little troubled and confused also. I guess most of the characters I have played have been somewhat of a natural extension of self. I think as an actor that's how you find the truth or the honesty in a script. If I don’t believe it then the audience won’t, so you need to draw on your life experiences to make a character work.
What led to your decision bid Erinsborough farewell, and were you happy with how Danny was written out?
I was really tired to be honest. We were working 12 to 14 hours days and I guess Danny had grown up over the periods between Channels 7 and 10. The shows inclusion of so many new characters was the way to go and I felt the time was right to move on. Danny was working in the bank with Des, and Francis Bell had left the show unexpectedly, so I guess Danny, to some extent, was a casualty of that also. It was very amicable, yet I could also understand that they wanted to not make a big deal of Max's exit so Danny's was also very understated to say the least! (laughs) I think his last scene was saying goodbye over the phone.
We last saw Danny briefly in 2005 as part of the 20th Anniversary documentary. How did this return come about and what was it like filming your segment for the documentary?
They asked me to do it. The scene was a huge monologue and Danny was a pool builder which never sat right with me. I can remember we filmed it very quickly and I couldn’t remember my lines (laughs).
Yes and no! (laughs) At the time I was vulnerable had a good sense of humour, I was cheeky however a little troubled and confused also. I guess most of the characters I have played have been somewhat of a natural extension of self. I think as an actor that's how you find the truth or the honesty in a script. If I don’t believe it then the audience won’t, so you need to draw on your life experiences to make a character work.
What led to your decision bid Erinsborough farewell, and were you happy with how Danny was written out?
I was really tired to be honest. We were working 12 to 14 hours days and I guess Danny had grown up over the periods between Channels 7 and 10. The shows inclusion of so many new characters was the way to go and I felt the time was right to move on. Danny was working in the bank with Des, and Francis Bell had left the show unexpectedly, so I guess Danny, to some extent, was a casualty of that also. It was very amicable, yet I could also understand that they wanted to not make a big deal of Max's exit so Danny's was also very understated to say the least! (laughs) I think his last scene was saying goodbye over the phone.
We last saw Danny briefly in 2005 as part of the 20th Anniversary documentary. How did this return come about and what was it like filming your segment for the documentary?
They asked me to do it. The scene was a huge monologue and Danny was a pool builder which never sat right with me. I can remember we filmed it very quickly and I couldn’t remember my lines (laughs).
There’s currently a severe lack of Ramsays on Ramsay Street – if the writers decided to create and bring in Danny, or even Shane’s, children, would you consider popping back for a visit?
I guess it would depend on the story line. There are other factors too like timing and other actors. If it felt right, for the shows sake, then that would probably be a reason for Danny Ramsay to return.
Are there any cast members you wished you could have worked with more?
Yes, Paul Keane as I had only just begun really to work with and funnily, Stefan Dennis. Danny and Paul Robinson never crossed paths in those days so it would have been good to explore their relationship.
What have you been up to since leaving the show in 1986?
I’ve worked on and off in Real Estate over the years and joined my father’s advertising business in the 1990s, which we sold to a multinational company who are now owned by News Ltd. I am a father, which has been great, and I still do the odd bit of acting here and there and am a voice artist for radio, television and corporate videos.
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
I have stayed in touch with Stefan Dennis and Darius Perkins before he passed away so sadly last year. Recently I caught up with Vikki Blanche and Jason Donovan when he was in Australia and I have spoken to Peter O’Brien a few times over the phone, it would be great to see him. I have seen Annie Charleston briefly and also Maxine Klibingaitis I have reconnected with, she, you may remember, played Paul Robinson’s first wife Terri in the original series at Channel 7.
Since leaving the show, have you been watching the drama continuing to unfold in Erinsborough?
From time to time during the 90s I would have a quick look, however I was always confused as to who was who! (laughs) I have been watching recently because the show is so different and milestones like the 35th are always interesting to watch. The weddings and deaths were good story lines and a credit to the current producers and writers. They have certainly changed and reinvented the show very well.
For a show that nearly didn’t make its 1st anniversary, it’s amazing to see it celebrating 35 years on Australian television – what do you think is the secret to Neighbours’ ongoing success?
I think it’s simplicity and the chemistry between the actors and their characters. Also its the production values over the years and ability to change, I think that’s been its main reasons for success.
I guess it would depend on the story line. There are other factors too like timing and other actors. If it felt right, for the shows sake, then that would probably be a reason for Danny Ramsay to return.
Are there any cast members you wished you could have worked with more?
Yes, Paul Keane as I had only just begun really to work with and funnily, Stefan Dennis. Danny and Paul Robinson never crossed paths in those days so it would have been good to explore their relationship.
What have you been up to since leaving the show in 1986?
I’ve worked on and off in Real Estate over the years and joined my father’s advertising business in the 1990s, which we sold to a multinational company who are now owned by News Ltd. I am a father, which has been great, and I still do the odd bit of acting here and there and am a voice artist for radio, television and corporate videos.
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
I have stayed in touch with Stefan Dennis and Darius Perkins before he passed away so sadly last year. Recently I caught up with Vikki Blanche and Jason Donovan when he was in Australia and I have spoken to Peter O’Brien a few times over the phone, it would be great to see him. I have seen Annie Charleston briefly and also Maxine Klibingaitis I have reconnected with, she, you may remember, played Paul Robinson’s first wife Terri in the original series at Channel 7.
Since leaving the show, have you been watching the drama continuing to unfold in Erinsborough?
From time to time during the 90s I would have a quick look, however I was always confused as to who was who! (laughs) I have been watching recently because the show is so different and milestones like the 35th are always interesting to watch. The weddings and deaths were good story lines and a credit to the current producers and writers. They have certainly changed and reinvented the show very well.
For a show that nearly didn’t make its 1st anniversary, it’s amazing to see it celebrating 35 years on Australian television – what do you think is the secret to Neighbours’ ongoing success?
I think it’s simplicity and the chemistry between the actors and their characters. Also its the production values over the years and ability to change, I think that’s been its main reasons for success.
Interviewed March 2020