APPLETON, Wis. — Jeffrey Donovan, best known for his starring role in the USA Network series Burn Notice, has traded the glitz of Los Angeles for the mountains of Colorado, a decision he credits to meeting his wife more than a decade ago. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, the 57-year-old actor shared that he has no intention of returning to Hollywood full-time, calling Colorado the ideal place to raise his family. "I met my future wife while I was finishing a job, and she was from Colorado, and once I started visiting there, I never stopped," Donovan said. "It's an incredible state and, I'm raising my children there, and we're never leaving."
Donovan first crossed paths with Michelle Woods in 2011 while working on a project, according to the interview. The couple tied the knot in a small ceremony in Santa Barbara, California, in August 2012. Since then, they have welcomed three children: Claire, Lucas, and Ethan. The family now calls Colorado home, where Donovan describes the lifestyle as healthier and more family-oriented compared to the fast-paced environment of Los Angeles.
"Colorado, secretly, is the sunshine state," Donovan remarked, pushing back against Florida's nickname. He noted that the state receives more sunshine than even Arizona or New Mexico, making it a surprising but welcome choice for year-round outdoor activities. This move, he explained, aligns with his priorities as a parent. Although Donovan grew up in Boston and many of his friends remain in Los Angeles raising their own children there, he emphasized that Colorado offers a less daunting setting for family life.
"I find it less challenging in Colorado, which plays to my talent level of raising kids," Donovan said. "If it's not hard raising kids in Colorado, then that's where I wanna be." He acknowledged missing his Los Angeles-based friends but pointed out that they all recognize the universal challenges of parenthood, particularly in a city known for its demanding social and professional scene.
The actor's career trajectory provides context for his relocation. Donovan rose to prominence with Burn Notice, which premiered in 2007 and ran for seven seasons until 2013. In the series, he portrayed Michael Westen, a former CIA operative blacklisted and cut off from his resources, forcing him to freelance as a private investigator in Miami. The role not only launched Donovan into national fame but also allowed him to direct several episodes toward the end of the run.
Reflecting on the show in a 2017 interview with Build, Donovan described it as "the most grueling to this day job I've ever had." Despite the intensity, he expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity. "I feel very fortunate about the show, but I also know that at the time it was difficult, but I look back at if I didn't take that job, and I wasn't there, I would never have met my future wife and had my three beautiful children," he said.
Donovan's post-Burn Notice work has included high-profile films like Sicario in 2015, where he played a supporting role alongside Benicio del Toro and Emily Blunt. More recently, he has taken on diverse television projects, including a recurring role in the Netflix series Reacher. But his latest endeavor marks a significant departure: starring as Abraham in the three-part biblical series The Faithful, which reimagines stories from the Book of Genesis through the perspectives of five central women.
In The Faithful, Donovan shares the screen with Minnie Driver, who portrays Sarah, Abraham's wife. The series explores the complexities of their ancient marriage, a theme that resonated personally with the actor. "There's a part in the first hour where I actually talk with God and Minnie [Driver] is playing Sarah and I, to be honest, I was lost," Donovan recounted to Fox News Digital. "I felt the enormity, the pressure of how do I convey that I literally am talking to God to an audience that wants to talk to God or has talked to God, or wants to believe there is a God. And so I did feel that pressure."
Driver helped ease his concerns during filming. "She kind of grabbed me and told him he was 'enough,'" Donovan said, describing the moment as "really powerful for me to feel that connection." The experience reinforced his views on long-term relationships. Approaching the portrayal of Abraham and Sarah's marriage "as realistically as possible," he drew parallels to modern partnerships.
"It's challenging, and if you and your partner, whoever that might be, can come to some sort of agreement that we are in it for the long haul, that our children, if you're blessed enough to have children, are even more important than you, and you put all your eggs into that basket of going, 'We are the providers, we are their educators, and they learn humanity from us,' and if you go from that kind of premise, I think your children and your family will end up all right," Donovan explained.
This project comes at a time when many Hollywood figures are opting for quieter lives outside major entertainment hubs, a trend echoed in other recent stories. For instance, actor Luke Grimes of Yellowstone fame moved to Montana with his wife, citing a desire to escape Hollywood's pressures. Similarly, Ali Larter of Landman relocated to Idaho to avoid the industry's social demands. Donovan's choice fits into this broader pattern, though he has not indicated any dissatisfaction with his career—only a preference for Colorado's natural beauty and family-friendly vibe.
Donovan's commitment to staying in Colorado underscores a shift in priorities for actors balancing fame and fatherhood. While Los Angeles remains the epicenter of the entertainment industry, remote work opportunities and changing lifestyles post-pandemic have made such moves more feasible. Donovan, who continues to take on roles that require travel, maintains that his base in the Rockies enhances rather than hinders his professional life.
Looking ahead, The Faithful is set to premiere on Fox Nation, offering viewers a fresh take on timeless biblical narratives. Donovan's involvement suggests he is open to roles that challenge him spiritually and emotionally, much like his personal journey from Boston to Hollywood to Colorado. As he raises his children amid the state's abundant sunshine and outdoor pursuits, the actor appears settled in a life that prioritizes family over the spotlight.
For Donovan, the decision to leave Los Angeles was not just about location but about building a legacy. His story highlights how personal milestones can reshape even the most established careers in show business, providing a relatable narrative for fans navigating their own life changes.
— David Kim, The Appleton Times