Jeffrey Donovan, Law & Order star, tied the knot with model and actress Michelle Woods and has four children.
Jeffrey Donovan was born on May 11, 1968. He is the middle child of three sons.
He was born to Nancy Matthews and his father. His older brother is Michael Donovan, who was born around 1965, while his younger brother, Sean, was born in 1970. Tragically, Sean met his demise in 1987.
Raised by their mother, Nancy, the family faced financial struggles as their father abandoned them, and they had to rely on welfare.
They experienced multiple relocations before finally establishing a residence in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Sadly, Donovan’s mother passed away in 2010.
During his time at Amesbury High School, Donovan received guidance from a teacher who played a pivotal role in initiating a drama club for him.
With the teacher’s support, he secured a private scholarship, which enabled him to participate in a summer program that marked the beginning of his acting career.
Donovan initially attended Bridgewater State College before transferring to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama.
While pursuing his education, Donovan worked as a commercial bus driver for UMass Transit Service, operating passenger buses as part of the PVTA (Pioneer Valley Transit Authority).
Later, he continued his education by obtaining a Master of Fine Arts from New York University’s Graduate Acting Program at the Tisch School of the Arts.
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Who Are Claire And Lucas Donovan? Jeffrey Donovan Children
Wife Michelle Woods
Jeffrey Donovan married model and actress Michelle Woods in 2012. They have been married for over a decade.
Notably, there is a significant age difference of 23 years between Donovan and his wife, Michelle. Their marital status began when Woods was 21 years old.
Like many celebrity couples, Jeffrey Donovan and Michelle Woods crossed paths in an old-fashioned way.
Their story began on the television show Burn Notice set, where Donovan held the leading role, and Woods made a brief appearance.
After dating for a period, the couple got engaged in June 2012 and tied the knot in the same year. During an interview with the Build Series, Donovan shared that although everyone involved in the series was exceptionally intelligent, at times, he felt a sense of confinement.
However, meeting Woods changed his perspective, and he remains eternally grateful to her.
Celebrating a decade of marital bliss, Donovan and Woods are the proud parents of four children, building a happy and fulfilling family together.
Donovan and his wife welcomed their first child, a daughter named Claire, in December 2012. As of 2024, Claire is around 11 years old.
The couple expanded their family with the birth of their son, Lucas, in 2014. Likewise, in 2017, they embraced parenthood once again with the arrival of their second daughter.
During an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers in May 2022, Donovan shared that his fourth child, a son, had recently turned a year and a half old.
Jeffrey Donovan: A Philanthropist
In 2009, Donovan returned to Amesbury High School, actively participating in a career day mentorship program alongside other accomplished professionals.
During this visit, he generously presented the school with a $100,000 arts scholarship program. The first $10,000 award was disbursed to a deserving senior that June.
Demonstrating a commitment to philanthropy, Donovan has long supported Life Rolls On (LRO), a foundation dedicated to empowering individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Serving as one of the chairmen for the 6th Annual LRO fundraiser, “Night by the Ocean,” at the Kodak Theatre on October 4, 2009, he contributed to the foundation’s mission.
In recognition of his advocacy, Donovan was honored as the Grand Marshal of the 22nd annual AIDS Walk Miami on April 17, 2010.
Beyond his direct involvement in charitable organizations, Donovan extends his support to friends’ charity events.
In a noteworthy instance in September 2009, during the 17th Annual Benefit Concert for Women and Children at Risk in Stamford, Connecticut, he assisted Michael Bolton by auctioning off a “Burn Notice walk-on-part” accompanied by a kiss.
While walk-on parts typically raise $2,000–$5,000, the added incentive of a kiss led to an impressive total of $36,000 raised.
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