Q&A with Jeffrey Donovan from hit show Burn Notice

text size

Jeffrey Donovan is currently one of television's most popular actors. He plays the lead character, Michael Westen, on the hit show Burn Notice, now entering its fifth season. He is also known for co-starring in the following films: Changeling, Hitch, Believe in Me, Come Early Morning and Touching Evil. This spring, he played the role of Robert Kennedy in Clint Eastwood's upcoming J. Edgar. Last week, Donovan partnered with Australia's James Nitties at the Nationwide Tour's BMW Charity Pro-Am near Greenville, SC and PGA TOUR Media Official Phil Stambaugh had a chance to talk with him about golf and his acting.

PGA TOUR: Have you played in other pro-ams before and what do you enjoy most about playing in them?

DONOVAN: Yes. I've been lucky to play for three years in a row at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and the Bob Hope event. Those were thrilling and exciting, especially the AT&T event at Pebble Beach. It's awesome.

PGA TOUR: Do you get to play a lot of golf?

DONOVAN: I don't get to play a lot. I get to practice a lot. I work about 70 hours a week so on the weekend, I want to rest. I go out and chip and work on my swing.

PGA TOUR: What's your handicap?

DONOVAN: I fluctuate between a seven and a nine.

PGA TOUR: How did you get started in the game?

DONOVAN: It was about 10 years ago when I was 33. I was in New York City and a buddy of mine was walking down Madison Avenue with a set of clubs. I asked him where he was going and he said he was jumping on a bus to Van Cortlandt Park, a park in the area with an old muny course. He took me with him and I got hooked.

PGA TOUR: Who's in your dream foursome?

DONOVAN: Ben Hogan, Bob Hope and my girlfriend.

PGA TOUR: What's your favorite course that you have played?

DONOVAN: Old Head in Ireland.

PGA TOUR: Where do you play most of your golf?

DONOVAN: La Gorce Country Club in Miami.

PGA TOUR: Do you get to play a lot of golf in Florida?

DONOVAN: I get to play a lot when I'm not working but I work seven months out of the year so I basically practice on the weekends. When I do play, I just play at my private club.

PGA TOUR: I've got a few Burn Notice questions for you. You filmed a prequel movie for Bruce Campbell's character, "Sam Axe", last summer in Colombia. What was that like?

DONOVAN: It was great. It was fun to grow the franchise a little bit and focus on Bruce's character. It was a lotta fun.

PGA TOUR: Any plans to do a prequel for Michael Westen?

DONOVAN: No. No plans for that.

PGA TOUR: For all Burn Notice fans, can you give us some insight as to what to expect in Season 5?

DONOVAN: There's a big change. I'm back in the CIA conditionally and Fiona and Michael move in together which is a big deal.