James Denton Explains His Decision Of Quitting Hollywood Along With Family

After his TV life on Wisteria Lane as Mike Delfino, James Denton sought out his own slice of American suburbia. 

Fans of the “Desperate Housewives” couldn’t get enough of actor James Denton, who played the dreaming love interest of Teri Hatcher and plumber Mike Delfino in the ABC drama.

The series, set on the fictional Wisteria Lane, aired eight seasons until the end of 2012 – and took the life in Hollywood of Denton as well.

Denton Explains

The 58-year-old actor gave an unusual interview from his home in Minnesota on Thursday, and in it, he explained why he and his wife had made the “decision” to leave Hollywood after the end of the show – and why James has not looked back ever since.

In the end, it all came down to what the couple felt was the best thing that could ever happen to their two children.

“Their mom was born here in Minnesota so we thought maybe we should get the kids out of L.A.,” Denton explained on Australia’s “The Morning Show.” “[Los Angeles] is not a great place for kids. It’s tough. The schools are really expensive, so we decided as soon as ‘Housewives’ ended, we’d come up here and let them grow up in a little more normal suburban American neighborhood.”

Denton has still managed to remain active in Tinseltown despite his departure, most recently starring in “The Good Witch” on The Hallmark Channel.

Inability To Get New Roles

He also spent time on the Lifetime drama series, “Devious Maids.”

During his chat with “The Morning Show,” Denton said his longevity on “Desperate Housewives” had actually hindered his ability to land different roles following the show’s finale.

“I’ve had trouble seeing anything like a suit and tie case, or maybe a politician,” Denton explained. “Anything like that wasn’t for the blue collar, I had a little problem just after ‘Home Moms.'”

Acting Jail

Although he played the role of hunky Delfino in a soapy drama, Denton said his colleague “Housewives” actor Felicity Huffman was foreshadowing his Hollywood exile at a cast meeting during the final season.

“We were all going to acting jail for a little while,” Denton recalls Huffman telling the cast.

“Because you get a little bit typecast, but that’s a small price you pay for being on a show that was that popular,” Denton said, adding, but “you’ll never hear me complain.”