You probably remember Mike Delfino. The rugged, soft-spoken plumber from Wisteria Lane who stole Teri Hatcher’s heart (and ours) before meeting a tragic, rainy end. But while his character’s life ended in a hail of gunfire, the real-life story of James Denton and wife Erin O’Brien is way more interesting—and a whole lot quieter.
Honestly, most actors say they want to "get away from it all." Then they buy a second mansion in Malibu. James Denton actually did it. In 2012, right after Desperate Housewives wrapped, he packed up his life and moved to Chanhassen, Minnesota. Not exactly the paparazzi capital of the world.
The Woman Behind the Move: Who is Erin O’Brien?
Erin O’Brien isn’t just some "actor’s wife." She’s a powerhouse. Before she was known for her marriage to the Hallmark king, she was a fitness expert and trainer at Life Time Fitness. She’s a Shakopee, Minnesota native, which explains a lot about why the couple ended up in the Midwest.
They met back in 2000. It wasn't some flashy red-carpet encounter. James was a working actor, and Erin was teaching at a studio. They married on December 16, 2002. It was a second marriage for both—James was previously married to actress Jenna Lyn Ward from 1997 to 2000—and they seemed to figure out pretty quickly that the Hollywood grind wasn't for them long-term.
A Career Shift that Stuck
Erin actually has a background in performance too. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from NYU. But she realized early on that the "I hope they like me" audition culture was, in her words, "psychologically distressing." She pivoted to fitness, and it became her true calling. Even now, in 2026, she’s still active in the performance and health worlds. Just recently, she was listed as an ensemble member in a production of Sweeney Todd with Opera Montana.
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She hasn't just sat on the sidelines. Erin has released multiple fitness DVDs, like Prenatal Fitness Fix and Postnatal Rescue. James credits her for keeping him alive. Literally. He once joked that he’d be 20 pounds heavier and his heart would be failing if it weren't for her no-nonsense approach to health.
Why Chanhassen? The Real Reason They Left L.A.
Most people thought it was a temporary move. A vacation. It wasn't.
The decision to move to Minnesota was driven by two things: family and reality. Erin’s sister was battling breast cancer at the time, and they wanted to be there for her. Plus, they had two kids—Sheppard, born in 2003, and Malin, born in 2005. They wanted a "normal" life for them.
James has been refreshingly blunt about this. He once mentioned that in L.A., you start to think the world revolves around you because you're on a hit show. Moving to the Twin Cities area was a reality check. He went from being on the cover of TV Guide to being just another dad at the local Potbelly sandwich shop.
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- Family First: They moved to be near Erin's relatives.
- Education: They wanted the kids in the Minnesota school system.
- The "Hunk" Factor: James wanted to prove he could still act on stage without the "Mike Delfino" baggage.
Raising a New Generation of Talent
The Denton kids are grown up now. Sheppard Denton is in his early 20s, and he’s actually followed his dad into the family business—sort of.
If you’ve watched Hallmark lately, you might have seen them together. They co-starred in For Love & Honor and the 2022 movie Perfect Harmony. James was the executive producer and basically forced Sheppard to audition. It turns out, the kid has chops. But James is a typical "Midwest dad" about it; he says he won't stop his son from acting, but he certainly won't "enable" him. It's a tough business, after all.
Malin, their daughter, has stayed further out of the spotlight, though she's been a fixture in their local community life in Chanhassen. The family even opened a fitness center together—CrossFit Chanhassen/Bring It Studios.
Is James Denton Still Acting?
People ask this all the time. Yes. But he’s picky.
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After Desperate Housewives, he spent seven seasons on Good Witch as Dr. Sam Radford. He’s become a staple of the Hallmark Channel. But his real passion seems to be the stage. He’s performed at the Park Square Theatre in St. Paul and has even expressed interest in doing shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.
He’s okay with the fact that his "Sexiest Man Alive" days are behind him. He’s told stories about how his picture in the local paper gets smaller every year. He finds it hilarious. That’s the vibe of James Denton and wife Erin: they’re comfortable being "boring."
What You Can Learn from the Dentons
The way James and Erin have handled fame is a blueprint for longevity. They didn't chase the trend. They didn't try to stay relevant by doing reality TV or manufactured drama.
If you're looking to apply their logic to your own life, focus on these three things:
- Geography Matters: If your environment is making you miserable or self-obsessed, move. Even if it's to a place where it's 20 degrees in April.
- Pivot with Purpose: Erin didn't "fail" at acting; she found something she loved more (fitness) and dominated that niche.
- Keep it Real with Your Partner: James openly admits Erin told him he needed to "learn how to act again" after years on a soap. You need someone who isn't afraid to bruise your ego.
James and Erin are still married, still living in Minnesota, and still proving that you can have a "Hollywood ending" without actually living in Hollywood. It’s a rare success story in a business designed to break people apart.
Next Steps for Fans: Check out James Denton’s production work on Hallmark, particularly the films where he serves as Executive Producer, as these projects often reflect his personal musical interests and involve his family. You can also look for Erin O'Brien's fitness programs if you're interested in a functional, no-frills approach to health that has clearly worked for their family for over two decades.