Jeffrey Donovan’s Life in Colorado
Jeffrey Donovan, known for his role in “Burn Notice,” has no plans to make a return to Los Angeles.
In a conversation with Fox News Digital, the 57-year-old actor discussed his move to Colorado, which came about after he met his wife while working on a project. “I met my future wife while I was finishing up work,” he shared. “She’s from Colorado, and once I started visiting there, I just couldn’t stop.” He added, “It’s an incredible state. I’m raising my children there and have no intention of leaving.”
Donovan and Michelle Woods, who met in 2011, married in a small ceremony in Santa Barbara in August 2012. Since then, they’ve welcomed three children: Claire, Lucas, and Ethan. Though they live in Colorado, Donovan quipped that the state deserves the title of “Thunderstorm State” over Florida. “Colorado is secretly the Sunshine State,” he remarked, suggesting that it probably gets more sunlight than Arizona or New Mexico. “It’s a beautiful part of the country, and we can live really healthy lives there.”
While Donovan grew up in Boston, he mentioned that many of his friends now reside in Los Angeles with their families. Despite missing his friends, they all acknowledge that raising children is quite challenging, and he finds that being in Colorado makes it somewhat easier. “I feel like it’s not as difficult in Colorado, which fits my parenting style,” he explained. “If it weren’t hard to raise kids in Colorado, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
The actor first gained fame in 2007 with his role in “Burn Notice,” where he played Michael Westen, a blacklisted CIA operative trying to uncover the reason behind his status. Donovan starred in the show for seven seasons, even directing several episodes. Reflecting on the challenges of that time, he mentioned, “I feel very lucky to have had that opportunity… but it was tough. If I hadn’t taken that job, I wouldn’t have met my future wife or had the privilege of three amazing kids.”
Currently, Donovan stars in “The Faithful,” a trilogy series that presents the story of Genesis from the viewpoint of five key women. He plays Abraham, one of the most notable biblical figures, and highlighted how taking on this role represents a considerable change for him. “There’s a part where you actually talk to God,” he recalled. “I felt the pressure to convey that experience to an audience who might believe or have spoken to God.” He emphasized the feeling of weight that accompanied this responsibility.
Donovan praised co-star Minnie Driver for helping him get into the right mindset. He mentioned, “She grabbed me and said, ‘Enough is enough,’ which was really powerful.” When it came to capturing the dynamics of Abraham and Sarah’s marriage, he aimed for realism, acknowledging the complexities that come with long-term partnership. “Marriage is complicated,” he said, pointing out the importance of commitment, especially when children are involved.
He concluded by asserting that if partners could agree to prioritize their children and nurture them, they would likely find success as a family. “If you can put all your eggs in that basket, I think you and your family will be okay in the end,” Donovan reflected.
