Martin Donovan is an American actor who has worked closely with director Hal Hartley for a considerable period. He has appeared in numerous films by Hartley, including Trust, Surviving Desire, Simple Men, Amateur, Flirt, and The Book of Life, where he played the role of Jesus Christ.
Childhood & Education
Martin Paul Smith, also known as Martin Donovan, was born in Reseda, California on August 19, 1957. Martin grew up with three incredible siblings, whose identities are still unknown, under the care of his parents, Gayne Paul Smith and Agnes Mary Regan. The occupations of his parents are currently undisclosed.
He is an American citizen with German and Irish ancestry. During his childhood, he went to Crespi Carmelite High School and then spent two years at Pierce College.
He studied at American Theater Arts, a fusion of a conservatory and a theater group in Los Angeles, where he performed in Brendan Behan’s Richard’s Cork Leg and Bertold Brecht’s Private Life of the Master Race.
In 1983, he relocated to New York City with his eventual spouse, Vivian. He became a member of the off-offroadway Cucaracha Theater on Greenwich Street.
Martin Donovan’s Career
In 1982, Martin Donovan launched his career, which continues to thrive. He kickstarted his path by becoming a member of American Theatre Plays, and he appeared in notable productions such as Brendan Behan’s Richard’s Cork Leg and Bertold Brecht’s Private Life of the Master Race.
After that, he relocated to New York in pursuit of his thriving career. It was during this time that he became a member of the off-off-Broadway Cucaracha Theater on Greenwich Street and secured roles in movies such as Hard Choices (1985), At Mother’s Request (1987), Surviving Desire (1991), and Amateur (1994).
In 1995, he portrayed the character of Walter in the drama series Flirt. The next year, he took on the role of Ralph Touchett in the movie version of Henry James’ 1881 novel The Portrait of A Lady.
After that, he has been featured in numerous films, both as a recurring character and in a lead role. These include Pipe Dream, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Pornographer: A Love Story, Dark Shadows, Day on Fire, Law & Order, Lethal Weapon, Wind Chill, and Masters of Horror.
The most recent role he took on was that of Virgil Davenport in the Netflix show Archive 81, a sci-fi mystery horror. In the series, Martin, also known as Davenport, portrays the CEO of a secretive organization known as LMG, which is engaged in unethical activities.
Personal Life
Martin Donovan is a married man who found love in the early 1980s, even before he began his acting journey. His spouse is the well-known actress Vivian Lanko, and they got married in 1984. The couple has two sons, Micah and Austin Donovan.
Net Worth
Martin Donovan is an experienced performer who earns his income through his work as an actor. With over 100 acting roles dating back to 1982, he has accumulated a net worth of $1.5 million.
Some of his notable performances include portraying Dr. Neil Harrison on the show Wonderland in 2000 and Will McAllister on the series Pasadena from 2001 to 2002. He also played the character of Peter Scottson on the series Weeds from 2005 to 2006.
