Colin Donnell
Joining us On The Couch this week is Colin Donnell, currently starring as Father in Ragtime, where he brings warmth, and masses of emotional depth to one of musical theatre’s most iconic roles. Grounded, funny, and basking in the career that he has built brick by brick, Donnell feels immensely lucky to be playing pretend for a living and to be sharing his life with his wife, the one and only Patti Murin, and their two daughters. Read our full interview below.
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What do you consider to be your best asset?
Being able to find joy in the every day. Especially at work when the material is heavy or the world is feeling heavy I think it’s nice to remember that what we do can be important AND silly.
What was your proudest moment?
Becoming a father to two beautiful girls. They make everything better.
What is your favorite drink?
I could (and do) drink coffee all day long. If it’s not a coffee it’s a seltzer and it’s preferably Hal’s. It’s extra bubbly, I want it to be so carbonated it stings a little.
What is your favorite food?
If I had to pick one cuisine to only eat for the rest of my days it would be Mexican. But also who’s gonna turn down a great pizza. I also LOVE to bake and so cookies are a constant in my life.
What is your favorite condiment?
Sriracha, it belongs on everything. Maybe not cookies but honestly I’m willing to try.
What is your current obsession?
All things baking and the possibility of opening up a home bakery business.
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
I gave up alcohol three and a half years ago and it was a great change in my life. Maybe some day I’ll go back (I do miss a Negroni in the summer) but for now it works for me. Don’t ever come for my sugar.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
A long and varied career. I love the opportunities I’ve had in my career so far that have taken me from stage to screen and back again across comedy and drama and everything between. I don’t long for awards, I just want the opportunity to keep making a living doing what I love.
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Gym equipment or a latest tech gadget I probably could 100% do without.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Scrolling on my phone. New Years Resolution 2026.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Complacency.
What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Work ethic and a genuine kindness and interest for all people no matter what walk of life they come from.
What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Indecisiveness. I really do mean it when I say “You pick the restaurant I’m ok with anything”.
What in the world most thrills you?
New adventures and travel with my family.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
This makes the assumption that I’m cool enough to be aware of the current trends in popular culture. But I will say that I’d be very much ok if people on the internet didn’t feel the need to share their hot takes on everything under the sun. Can’t we just celebrate people a bit more? Everyone’s trying their best.
What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
There’s too many to choose from!
What is your favorite place in the world?
Dreaming of living in the French countryside someday in the future or at least having an apartment in Paris to drop into so the family and I could just drop our bags and go wandering around the city. But if I’m truly honest it’s sitting in my house with my family around quietly reading and playing with some music on in the background.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
The thing that made me fall in love with Patti Murin the most was her ability to make me laugh. It was true when we first started dating and it’s still true after more than a decade being married, she can make me laugh harder more easily than anyone I know.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Dogs.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
I like to think I’m living it. Even when it’s a hard day, a hard week or month or year, I’m lucky in more ways than I could hope for. I have an amazing partner, two beautiful little girls who are growing up entirely too fast and I get to tell stories and play pretend for a living. I’m a very lucky person.
What is your personal motto?
My motto is two fold and it’s stolen from my favorite DJ John Richards at KEXP out of Seattle who I’ve been listening to for more than 20 years. “Music Heals. You Are Not Alone.”