Neighbours, one of Australia’s biggest TV shows is nearing an end after a remarkable 37 years on air and my we’ve come a long way since 1985.
WATCH BELOW: Kylie Minogue discusses her return to Neighbours
Whilst some things like forbidden love affairs, crazed killers and surprise pregnancies will never go out of style, we’ve seen all sorts of actors come and go on Neighbours – and for some, it’s been a springboard into stardom.
From golden girls Delta Goodrem and Kylie Minogue through to Hollywood heavyweights Margot Robbie and Liam Hemsworth, these famous faces have Neighbours to thank for getting their careers off the ground.
With Neighbours’ nearing an end after almost 9000 episodes, we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane to remember just how far some of the show’s stars have come.
Kylie Minogue
The singing superstar rose to fame in the eighties as tomboy Charlene Robinson who married Scott (more on Jason Donovan below) who she teamed up with for the iconic duet Especially For You.
These days Kylie is riding high after releasing an epic 15 albums and receiving an OBE among other awards. On a personal note, she is currently dating British GQ’s creative director Paul Solomon.
Jason Donovan
Replacing Darius Perkins, the lovable Jason Donovan was the Kylie’s other half back in the day as Scott Robinson and joined the cast at the tender age of 17.
Following his time on Neighbours, Jason became a musical theatre star and later appeared on the UK reality shows I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! and Strictly Come Dancing but his soapie legacy lives on – Jason’s daughter Jemma also starred on the soap that made her dad a household name.
“She’s very passionate about what she does. She loves the work and at the end of the day it’s what’s on the screen that’s the most important thing,” he told the Australian Women’s Weekly.
Guy Pearce
The handsome Aussie actor starred as Mike Young on the hit soap and confessed last year that Neighbours will always have a special place in his heart.
“I was just 18 and a tad nervous. I met wonderful people and have great memories. I’ll always appreciate this incredible opportunity,” he wrote on Instagram in December 2020.
Since then, Guy has starred in films including Memento, The King’s Speech, Mary Queen of Scots as well as Aussie shows including Jack Irish and The Wizard of Aus.
Delta Goodrem
At just 17-years-old, Delta joined the Neighbours family as shy songwriter Nina Tucker and from then, she became a national treasure.
The golden girl has released best-selling albums and went on to be the longest-serving coach on The Voice Australia but recognises just how instrumental the soap was in forming her career.
“There’s a lot of graduates that I’m proud to say I was part of the Neighbours group no matter what era we’re all in – there’s a secret society!” she joked on the soap’s 30th birthday reunion special.
Margot Robbie
This Queenslander is one of the biggest movie stars in the world right now but she started her career as Aussie teen, Donna Freedman.
Donna left Ramsay Street to pursue her fashion dreams in New York City and Margot herself soon took America by storm and went on to star in blockbusters including The Wolf of Wall Street, Suicide Squad, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and has even been nominated for an Oscar twice for her films I, Tonya and Bombshell.
“If someone mentions Neighbours, the emotion I feel most is definitely nostalgia. I miss it so much – I miss being on the show, I miss being in Australia and having the show ever present. I just have the fondest memories.”
Liam Hemsworth
His older brother Chris may have been one of the Home and Away alumni but Liam had his own soapie storyline.
The heartthrob had a guest role as paraplegic Josh Taylor who had a doomed romance with Bridget Parker and since then has become a verified superstar.
Liam has since starred in the Hunger Games movie franchise, The Last Song and Isn’t It Romantic. And whilst he’s now dating model Gabriella Brooks, we can’t ever forget his short-lived marriage to pop star Miley Cyrus.
Russell Crowe
Yes, even the Gladiator himself was on Neighbours!
In the late 80s he played Kenny Larkin in four episodes and has since gone on to star in critically acclaimed films and TV shows such as Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind and The Loudest Voice.
Caitlin Stasey
Audiences watched Caitlin grow up on Neighbours between 2005 and 2009 as she played the role of Rachael Kinski from the age of 15.
Currently living in the US, Caitlin went on to land roles in Tomorrow, When the War Began, Reign and All Cheerleaders Die since leaving the show.
Ben Nicholas
Ben’s break-out role as rebellious teen Scott “Stingray” Timmins in 2004 saw him quickly shoot to fame and become a fan favourite.
After starring in the show until 2007, Ben is now a father of two and is still working in the entertainment industry.
Now running a successful content creation agency Wedid Productions, Ben has also created and starred in ABC’s parody reality show Footballer Wants a Wife.
Holly Vallance
Playing the unforgettable Felicity “Flick” Scully between 1999 and 2005, Holly quickly became a household name.
Since leaving the show Holly now lives in the US with her husband Nick Candy and their two kids whilst also starring in numerous projects including Entourage, Prison Break and action film Red Herring.
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Jesse Spencer
Jesse played Billy Kennedy on the soap for six years before leaving for Hollywood and has since gotten married to his partner Kali Woodruff Carr.
Since leaving the show Jesse has been busy with a number of projects, appearing in hit American series’ House and Chicago Fire.
Sam Clark
Playing the troubled Ringo between 2007 and 2010, Sam Clark made his name alongside Margot Robbie as an onscreen couple on Ramsay street.
After leaving the show to pursue a music career, Sam has been cast in Death Camp, A Deadly Dance, Tell Me I Love You and Fox’s Grease Live.
Nicky Whelan
Famously known for playing the role of Pepper Steiger between 2006 and 2007, Nicky Whelan went on to star in a number of film and Tv roles including Hall Pass, Scrubs, Melrose Place and House of Lies.
Blair McDonough
Before playing Stuart Parker on Neighbours on-and-off from 2001 until 2018, Blair shot to fame on the first season of Big Brother.
Since then, Blair has appeared on Home And Away, Winners and Losers, Heartbeat, and Sea Patrol.
Ian Smith
Playing the beloved Harold Bishop for more than three decades on Neighbours, Ian Smith was one of Ramsay Street’s most recognisable faces.
Since leaving the show in 2015, Ian has appeared on Hughesy, We Have a Problem as well as the 2021 TV series How to Stay Married.
