Tate Donovan Says He Was Wowed by How Handsome He Was on an Episode ofFriendsHe Caught on TV Recently (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer Aniston and Tate Donovan in ‘Friends’ in 1998.Photo:Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Tate Donovangot a flashback of his younger self via an episode ofFriendsrecently.

The actor, 61, told PEOPLE all about the experience at the Oct. 24 premiere of Cirque du Soleil’sKoozaat the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California.

“I don’t really watchFriends,” Donovan admitted, “but recently, I was in a hotel room and it came on and, oh my God, there was Joshua.”

Jennifer Aniston and Tate Donovan in ‘Friends’ in 1998.Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Donovan joined the cast of the beloved sitcom as a recurring character in early 1998, during the show’s fourth season. He played wealthy Bloomingdale’s customer Joshua Burgin, who goes on to wooJennifer Aniston’s Rachel. Funnily enough, Donovan’s on-screen romance with Aniston’s character airedafterthe two actors had alreadyended their real-life relationship.

Despite describing his time on the hit show as “a good memory,” Donovan isn’t holding his breath for aFriendsrevival.

“Well, I don’t thinkFriendscould be rebooted,” he said.

The cast of ‘The O.C.’ in 2003.Alamy

Alamy

AFriendsreboot does seem extremely unlikely followingMatthew Perry’s tragic deathlast year. But Donovan seemed less certain about a second life for early-2000s dramaThe O.C., in which he playedMischa Barton’s troubled dad, Jimmy Cooper.

While costarsRachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke have said they would be “totally down”for a revival of the series, Donovan told PEOPLE he “hasn’t heard anything” about a potential reboot.

“But I would do it,” he added.

Tate Donovan at the Oct. 24 premiere of Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Kooza’.Jerod Harris/Getty

Jerod Harris/Getty

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Donovan noted that he’s stayed in touch with some of his fellow cast members, joining Bilson and Clarke on several episodes of their podcastWelcome to the O.C., Bitches!

“And yeah, [series creator]Josh Schwartz, I’ve worked with him a couple times, directing some of his shows,” he said. “Those guys are great.”

He also recalled a memorable 2022miniO.C.reunion with Barton and Clarke, who played his daughter and wife, respectively, on the series. “We had a great little reunion, the Cooper family reunion one time,” he said. “That was really fun.”

source: people.com