Jeffrey Donovan Biography
Jeffrey Donovan is an American actor best known for starring in Law & Order, an NBC crime drama as NYPD Detective Frank Cosgrove. He has also been featured in Fargo (2015), Come Early Morning, Changeling, and Burn Notice among others.
Jeffrey Donovan Age
Donovan is 55 years old as of 2023. He was born on 11th May 1968 in Amesbury, Massachusetts, U.S. and celebrates his birthday every year on 11th May.
Jeffrey Donovan Height
Donovan stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 11 inches.
Jeffrey Donovan Family
Donovan was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts alongside his two brothers Michael Donovan and Sean Donovan. His mother, Nancy Matthews raised them as a single mother after their father abandoned them.
Jeffrey Donovan Wife
Donovan is happily married to Michelle Woods, a model and actress and the two tied the knot in 2012. The couple is blessed with two daughters Claire, born in 2012 and the other daughter born in 2017 and a son Lucas born in 2014.
Jeffrey Donovan Net Worth
Donovan has an estimated net worth of between $5 Million and $10 Million which he has earned through his successful career as an actor.
Jeffrey Donovan Education
Donovan attended Amesbury High School. Later, he joined Bridgewater State College and then transferred to the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in drama. Afterward, Donovan joined Tisch School of the Arts where he attained Master of Fine Arts through the New York University’s Graduate Acting Program.
Jeffrey Donovan TV Career
Donovan has appeared in numerous television series, such as CSI: Miami, Spin City, Monk, Millennium, Witchblade, The Pretender, Homicide: Life on the Street, and Law & Order. In the short-lived show Threshold, he portrayed the character Dr. Sloan. Additionally, he played William Ivers in recurring roles on Crossing Jordan. In 2004, he landed his first leading role in the American adaptation of Touching Evil alongside Vera Farmiga on the USA Network.
Donovan starred as Michael Westen, a spy who was mysteriously cut off from his agency, in Burn Notice from 2007 to 2013. The series follows Westen’s quest to uncover the truth behind his predicament and restore his former life while serving justice in Miami, Florida. Donovan also took on directing duties, helming an episode titled “Made Man” in 2010 and a prequel film called Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe in 2011. Because of this duties, he received praise from audiences and critics alike. The show ran for seven seasons and garnered four Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
Donovan had a recurring role as Dodd Gerhardt, a North Dakota mobster, in Fargo in 2015. The following year, he starred as Charlie Haverford, a fraudulent tarot reader, in Shut Eye on Hulu. However, the series was canceled in January 2018 after two seasons. In 2021, Donovan was announced to join the 21st season of Law & Order as a regular detective.
Jeffrey Donovan Theater Career
Donovan has showcased his talents on stage in various productions, including notable roles such as Hamlet in Hamlet, Marco in A View from the Bridge. He has also appeared as Gene in Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight Off-Broadway, Clint in The Glory of Living. In addition to this, he portrayed Julian Berniers in Toys in the Attic regionally, and Teiresias in Oedipus. Additionally, he has appeared in An Inspector Calls and Freedomland (play) on stage.
Donovan headlined in the comedy “Don’t Dress for Dinner” in Chicago from October 2008 to spring 2009. He has also lent his talents to radio dramas, featuring in productions such as On the Waterfront (once again as Terry Malloy), Frozen, and Grapes of Wrath.
Jeffrey Donovan Philanthropy
Donovan went back to Amesbury High School to participate in a career day mentorship initiative alongside other accomplished professionals in 2009. During this visit, he also unveiled a generous $100,000 arts scholarship program for the school. The first installment of $10,000 was awarded to a graduating senior that same June.
For several years, Donovan has been actively involved with Life Rolls On (LRO), a foundation dedicated to empowering individuals with spinal cord injuries. On October 4, 2009, he assumed the role of one of the chairpersons for the 6th Annual LRO fundraiser titled Night by the Ocean at the Kodak Theatre. Furthermore, Donovan was honored with the title of Grand Marshal for the 22nd annual AIDS Walk Miami held on April 17, 2010.
Donovan extends his support to charitable causes organized by his friends as well. He assisted Michael Bolton at the 17th Annual Benefit Concert for Women and Children at Risk in Stamford, Connecticut, in September 2009. During this time, Donovan participated in an auction offering a “Burn Notice walk-on part” accompanied by a kiss. Typically, walk-on parts fetch between $2,000 and $5,000, but with the added incentive of a kiss, Donovan managed to raise $36,000.
Jeffrey Donovan Law & Order
Donovan portrayed detective Frank Cosgrove in seasons 21 and 22. He was a central character and partner to Detective Shaw. Unfortunately, Donovan decided to leave the show due to creative differences. His character’s departure was addressed in the season 23 premiere.
Jeffrey Donovan Burn Notice
Jeffrey Donovan portrays Michael Westen, a former CIA operative with a background in special forces. After being labeled as a compromised agent and “burned,” he finds himself stranded in Miami, his hometown, unable to leave and with his assets frozen. Determined to uncover the truth behind his betrayal, he relies on his resourcefulness and takes on small investigative tasks to make ends meet. Westen’s sharp intellect and adaptability allow him to devise ingenious solutions using everyday items. This items range from duct tape to cake frosting, often improvising gadgets on the fly. Westen is Skilled in martial arts with multiple black belts and proficient with various weapons. This makes him adept at assuming different personas and mastering regional dialects and international accents for undercover work.
Jeffrey Donovan TV and Films
- 2002 Witchblade as Daniel Germaine.
- 2004 Touching Evil as Detective Inspector Dave Creegan.
- 2005 CSI: Miami as Todd Kendrick.
- 2006 Threshold as Dr. Julian Sloan.
- 2007 Crossing Jordan as William Ivers.
- 2007–2013 Burn Notice as Michael Westen.
- 2015 Fargo as Dodd Gerhardt.
- 2016–2017 Shut Eye as Charlie Haverford.
- 2021 Invincible as Machine Head (voice) 2022-2023 Law & Order as Det. Frank Cosgrove.
- 2023 Surrounded as Wheeler.
- 2019 Villians as George.
- 2005 Hitch as Vance Munson.
- 2000 Bait as Julio.
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