Martin Donovan: biography, filmography, personal life

His creative career, Martin Donovan began in New York. Since then, he has been known for his work in numerous theatrical productions, as well as in more than eighty full-length films and television shows. In 2011, he became known as a screenwriter and film director. Martin Donovan is a laureate of several awards and prizes.

Biography

August 19, 1957 was born American actor, director and screenwriter Martin Donovan. Brief biography of him further. The real name is Smith. He was born in the city of Rezede, California. His parents are middle class, and Martin Donovan is one of their four children. Parents gave the son a Catholic upbringing.

The first stage work of the young actor was to participate in the school music play "Farewell, Bird".

As an adult, Martin Donovan studied for a couple of years at Pierce College, Los Angeles. After that, he simultaneously studied at the theater conservatory and performed in a theater company. He played in two productions: "Private life of the race of gentlemen" Brecht and Richard's Cork Leg on the play by Irish writer Bihen Brandon.

In 1983, Martin Donovan and his wife moved to New York. He wants to start a career as a film actor. At first, waiting for the invitations to listen, Martin had to be interrupted by random work-outs. It is known that he worked as an installer of draperies to provide his young family.

Later he becomes a member of the theatrical company Theater Cacaracha.

Selected filmography

To start a creative career, Martin Smith changed his name to a rarer one and became known as Martin Donovan. Films with his participation went out regularly, although he is more known as an actor in the background.

"Portrait of a Lady" (1996) - a screen version of the same book by the American writer Henry James. The film tells of the difficult fate of the young girl Isabelle Archer. She is at the center of manipulation and intrigue, deployed by influential people. In this drama, Martin Donovan performed the role of Ralph Tachita, a fan of the main character. For his work, the actor received the National Society of Film Critics Award in the nomination "Best Supporting Actor", and the film itself became the best picture of the 1996 Venice Film Festival.

"Pasadena" (2001) - an underestimated series in the genre of a dramatic detective. In the center of the narrative is the richest family of Pasadena - McAlister. The main heroine of Lily, the heir of the family, lived a beautiful and serene life, until a brutal murder occurred in their house. Wanting to get to the truth, the girl finds out a lot of dark secrets of her family. Martin Donovan played the role of the father of the main character, Will McAllister.

"Shoals" (2005) - a series that tells about the everyday life of a simple American housewife. She is busy raising two difficult teenage children. Being a widow and being unable to provide for a family, the main character decides to engage in an unusual business for herself - drug trafficking. Things are unexpectedly good, and the customers of the new dealer are friends and neighbors. Black humor and intense dramatic plot made the series one of the most commercially successful projects of the Showtime channel. Martin Donovan played the role of Peter Scottson, a drug control agent. As a member of the cast, Donovan was nominated for the SAG award in the "Outstanding Game of the Comedy Series".

"Ghosts in Connecticut" (2009) is a horror film directed by Peter Cornwell, which is based in part on real events. Martin Donovan plays one of the family members, forced to move closer to the hospital in which their son Matt is. The family spends huge money on hopeless treatment, and meanwhile in the new house something mysterious and even ominous starts to happen. The family has to turn to the priest for help.

"Onegin" (1999) - the famous English-language adaptation of the novel in verse. The film is a free retelling of the plot of the novel. The main characters speak prose, and the poetic form is used only in letters. Martin Donovan played the role of Prince Nikitin, Tatiana's husband and cousin Eugene Onegin.

Directing and scenario activity

In 2011, Martin Donovan made his debut as a director and screenwriter. His first work was the film "Employee". The work tells of the hard days of playwright Robert Langfello. In his family life, discord, the creative crisis does not allow writing. The last work was defeated by critics. He can not write anything worthy. The protagonist goes deeper into despair, and at this moment a new man bursts into his life. A neighbor named Gus.

Personal life

In 1984, Martin Donovan married Vivian Lanco, a young actress. A couple has two sons. At the moment the family lives in Vancouver, Canada.

Conclusion

Martin Donovan played not so many notable roles in his life, however, he approaches with every work with care and attention. Now the actor retired to devote himself more to the family and children.