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Jeffrey Donovan

Jeffrey Donovan

Actor, also director and producer · Born May 11, 1968 (58) · Amesbury, Massachusetts, USA

Jeffrey Donovan, born on May 11, 1968, is an American actor and director known for his compelling performances across film, television, and stage. With his versatility, nuanced portrayals, and commanding screen presence, Donovan has established himself as a highly respected and sought-after talent in the entertainment industry. Born in Amesbury, Massachusetts, Jeffrey Donovan developed an early passion for acting and storytelling. He honed his craft at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he studied drama and performed in various theater productions. After graduation, he furthered his training at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Donovan began his acting career in the late 1990s, making appearances in television shows such as "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Law & Order." However, it was his breakthrough role as Michael Westen in the hit USA Network series "Burn Notice" (2007-2013) that brought him widespread recognition and a dedicated fan base. Donovan's portrayal of a former spy navigating the world of covert operations captivated audiences and showcased his talent for blending action, drama, and dry humor. In addition to his television success, Jeffrey Donovan has made notable contributions to film. He has appeared in a range of genres, from crime dramas to comedies. Some of his notable film credits include "Changeling" (2008), directed by Clint Eastwood, "Hitch" (2005), "J. Edgar" (2011), and "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" (2018). Donovan's ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters has earned him critical acclaim and made him a sought-after actor in the industry. Jeffrey Donovan has also ventured into directing, further showcasing his talents behind the camera. He made his directorial debut with the film "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" (2018), where he helmed the short film "La Camioneta: The Journey of One American School Bus" (2012). Beyond his acting and directing pursuits, Jeffrey Donovan has been involved in philanthropy, supporting various charitable causes. He has participated in fundraising events and campaigns to raise awareness and funds for organizations dedicated to causes such as cancer research and supporting veterans.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 11, 1968 (58)
From
Amesbury, Massachusetts, USA
Works as
Actor, also director and producer
Titles
47 on MovieCove · 58 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 14% in 30 days

What are Jeffrey Donovan's films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 80th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
32%
Self
22%
Bonds
16%
Survival
15%
Power
9%
Society
5%
Ideas
2%
Justice11 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival9 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 28 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 5 · Serious 7 · Dark 16

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 19 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 3

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 7 · Intense 20

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 6

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 23 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 18 · Relentless 5

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 18 · Full focus 7

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 5 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 13

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 14 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

22 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 6 of 22 analyzed roles.

Hero
6 of 22
Shadow
6 of 22
Mentor
4 of 22
Ally
3 of 22
Trickster
1 of 22
Herald
1 of 22
Threshold guardian
1 of 22
Show the 22 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
23
Dread
14
Melancholic
12
Contemplative
10
Thrilling
5
Other
22

How their films linger

Bittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet20
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Jeffrey Donovan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 47 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jeffrey Donovan's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

58 credits, 47 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Cycle(2026)

    as Marks

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Eleven Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • The Faithful(2026)

    Show 4 episodes · as Abraham

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Wardriver(2026)

    as Bilson

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Surrounded(2023)

    as Wheeler

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned(2022)

    as Sheriff Roy Pulsipher

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Breaking(2022)

    as Major Riddick

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • First Love(2022)

    as Greg Albright

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • National Champions(2021)

    as Mark Titus

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Wrath of Man(2021)

    as Jackson

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Organized Crime(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Cosgrove

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Invincible(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · as Machine Head (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Let Him Go(2020)

    as Bill Weboy

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Honest Thief(2020)

    as Sean Meyers

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Wonder Woman: Bloodlines(2019)

    as Steve Trevor (voice)

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Lucy in the Sky(2019)

    as Jim Hunt

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Villains(2019)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile(2019)

    as Utah Defense Attorney John O'Connell

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Sicario: Day of the Soldado(2018)

    as Steve Forsing

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • LBJ(2016)

    as John F. Kennedy

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Shot Caller(2017)

    as Bottles

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Shut Eye(2016)

    Show 20 episodes · as Charlie Haverford

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Sicario(2015)

    as Steve Forsing

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Extinction(2015)

    as Jack

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Fargo(2014)

    Show 10 episodes · as Dodd Gerhardt

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • J. Edgar(2011)

    as Robert Kennedy

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe(2011)

    Director · Producer · as Michael Westen (cameo)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Changeling(2008)

    as Captain J.J. Jones

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Hindsight(2008)

    as Paul

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Burn Notice(2007)

    Show 111 episodes · Director · as Michael Westen

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Believe in Me(2006)

    as Clay Driscoll

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Come Early Morning(2006)

    as Cal Percell

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Hitch(2005)

    as Vance

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Sam & Joe(2004)

    as Eric

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Touching Evil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 13 episodes · as Detective David Creegan

  • Final Draft(2003)

    as Pascal (as Jeff Donovan)

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Todd Kendrick

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Steve Wagner

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Purpose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Robert Jennings

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 5 episodes · as William Ivers

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Witchblade(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2(2000)

    as Jeffrey "Jeff" Patterson

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Bait(2000)

    as Julio

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Beat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 5 episodes · as Brad Urich

  • When Trumpets Fade(1998)

    as Bobby

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Witness to the Mob(1998)

    as Agent #1

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Catherine's Grove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Thomas Mason

  • Vegas Vacation(1997)

    as Hotel Employee (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Critical Choices (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Randy

  • Millennium (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Bobby Webber

  • Sleepers(1996)

    as Addison

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Pretender(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Kyle · as Kyle/John Doe

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Spin City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Tom

  • Throwing Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Pete Gulley

  • Homicide: Life on the Street(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Newton Dell / Miles Dell

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 32 episodes · as Eddie Nicodos · as Frank Cosgrove · as Jacob Reese

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Briefcase, 8 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Hal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Dan Oliver

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 58 titles, 56 of them dated from 1990 to 2026; peak year 2020.

Biggest box office

Hitch (2005)

$372M worldwide

Highest rated

Sicario (2015)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Burn Notice (2007)

Film career

19902026

Peak 2020 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 11 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting58 of 58: 56 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score60thDirecting2 of 58: 0 only directing, 2 with another role

By decade

1990s12 · acting2000s17 · 17 acting · 1 crew2010s13 · 13 acting · 1 crew2020s14 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 4% of 27 roles
96061621

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Jeffrey Donovan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 34; across their 28 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 58th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Reach · how many have seen their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Midcredits score across 47 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 47 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Sam & Joe (2004)

96th percentile spread · 42% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Fargo (2014)

Midcredits 99th · 96% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 26 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 49. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Jeffrey Donovan's work okay for kids?

Across up to 19 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore16 titles31–90 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity19 titles12–55 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity17 titles36–84 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs15 titles11–62 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense15 titles35–84 · median 60 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Jeffrey Donovan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jeffrey Donovan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tim White shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers