Terry is well known to many Australians for the roles of 'Joe Turner' on the long running TV series Bellbird and as 'Snr. Sgt. Eric O'Reilly' on the police drama Cop Shop. Terry left the TV show Cop Shop in 1982 to pursue a political career. He was the Labor party member for Noble Park from 1982 to 1985 and then for Dandenong from 1985 to 1992. During his time in Parliament Terry held the positions of Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Parliamentary Committee.