Colin Donnell Talks Joys of Being a Girl Dad Twice Over: 'Parenthood Changed Everything for Me' (Exclusive)

Colin Donnell and his daughters.Photo:Lev Radin/VIEWpress; Patti Murin/Instagram

Lev Radin/VIEWpress; Patti Murin/Instagram

Colin Donnellloves life as a father-of-two.

TheChicago Medalum, 41, tells PEOPLE that his family life is “the best,” raving about his two daughters,Cecily, 3, and7-month-old Lorelai, whom he shares withwife and fellow actor Patti Murin.

“They’re just the greatest,” gushes Donnell, who wrapped up his run in Broadway’sThe Shark Is Brokenearlier this month. “I cannot imagine my life anymore without being a dad. It’s just.. they’re my world.”

“It sounds cliché to say, but parenthood changed everything for me, it really has,” Donnell adds. “Putting it into the context of work, especially, it’s made me take things simultaneously more seriously and less seriously because on the one hand, I see what I need to do and the type of work that I should be doing to be able to provide for them.”

At the same time, though, the actor feels like a weight has been taken off his shoulders when it comes to his career — because now, there are people at home who matter far more.

“In a much more freeing way, it doesn’t really matter," he explains. “Auditions come around and we get it done and we forget about it, because somebody [has to be] picked up from daycare or dinner has to be made. It reminds you daily about what really matters.”

Colin Donnell, wife Patti Murin and their two daughters dress as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce for Halloween.Colin Donnell/instagram

Colin Donnell/instagram

Seeing his kids grow in front of his eyes has been “powerful” for Donnell, especially watching his 3-year-old is transitioning into life as a sibling.

“Lorelai may be still in the blob phase, but she’s getting more and more personality every day now,” he jokes. “It’s just so fun to see the little girl she’s already becoming.”

Colin Donnell, Patti Murin and their daughter, Cecily, 3.Colin Donnell/instagram

In August, theChicago Medstarreturned to the Broadway stage tostar in a limited-run ofThe Shark is Broken, a play that pokes fun at speculative behind-the-scenes moments during the filming of 1975’sJaws.

Donnell says he was keeping his “fingers crossed” on getting the role “because getting to do a play on Broadway was one of those bucket list items." But notes that juggling the play and his family life has been a lot, especially when he had to get in shape for the play’s big Speedo scene.

“Thankfully, my wife [Patti Murin] was so supportive of me; I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t shout her out from the rooftops,” he says, adding that his new responsibilities meant he needed to be on a stricter schedule so he could help with getting his daughters ready in the morning and Cecily off to school. “The fact that she was able to hold it down and give me the space to do what I needed to do and focus on the work was just incredible. So I have to give credit where credit is due because her help was everything.”

“She’s just f—— awesome,” he says.

Colin Donnell’s wife Patti Murin with their daughters Cecily and Lorelai.Colin Donnell/instagram

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Overall, becoming a father has made a profound impact not just on Donnell’s everyday life — but on his way of life, too.

“It shifted the perspective and shifted the focus from being — Patti will attest to this — I’m a bit of a workaholic, because I love it and I love what I do,” he admits. “Being a dad doesn’t allow for as much of that, and that’s really a good thing for me.”

And now thatThe Shark Is Brokenis wrapped, and the holidays are now over, Donnell is looking forward to creating those special memories with his family.

“We love the holidays in our house,” Donnell says. “Christmas especially, for us it’s really about soaking up all the time together and just enjoying every bit of it that we can.”

source: people.com