Eric James McCormack is a Canadian-American actor who portrayed Will Truman in Will & Grace.
Will Truman[]
Casting[]
Having played gay characters several times in his career on theater and film, McCormack did not have a problem with portraying Will and thought his character could become a "poster boy for some gay movement", like how Ellen DeGeneres became a spokesperson with her character in Ellen.[1] He auditioned in December 1997[2] and John Barrowman, who is openly gay was also one of the frontrunners for the role.
Being the first actor to be cast, McCormack admitted thinking he was perfect for the role. "At the end of the audition, Max Mutchnick, co-creator and executive producer of the show said 'That was perfect. Just to let you know, you never have to be more gay than that.'"[3] He explained that when he first read the script, "what hit me immediately was that this was me. I mean, sexual orientation aside, Will was so much like me. He's a great host, he's relatively funny and he has great friends and he's a good friend to them ... the gay issue just wasn't really a big thing."[4]
Portrayal[]
For his portrayal of Will Truman, McCormack gained international acclaim and the role was met with positive reactions for its "revolutionary" portrayal of a successful and likable gay character.[5]
Awards & Nominations[]
Year | Award | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Viewers For Quality Television Awards | Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series | Nominated |
OFTA Awards | Best Actor in a New Comedy Series | Nominated | |
Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Won | ||
2000 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
Golden Globe Award | Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
Viewers For Quality Television Awards | Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series | Nominated | |
OFTA Awards | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
2001 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Won |
Golden Globe Award | Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Sean Hayes, Debra Messing, and Megan Mullally) | Won | |
Teen Choice Award | Television Choice Actor | Nominated | |
TV Guide Awards | Actor of the Year in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
OFTA Awards | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Won | |
2002 | Golden Globe Award | Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy | Nominated |
Satellite Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical | Nominated | |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, Messing, and Mullally) | Nominated | |
OFTA Awards | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
2003 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
Golden Globe Award | Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
Satellite Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical | Nominated | |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, Messing, and Mullally) | Nominated | |
OFTA Awards | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
2004 | Golden Globe Award | Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy | Nominated |
Satellite Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical | Nominated | |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, Messing, and Mullally) | Nominated | |
2005 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, Messing, and Mullally) | Nominated | |
Gold Derby TV Awards | Comedy Lead Actor | Nominated | |
2006 | Gold Derby TV Awards | Comedy Lead Actor | Nominated |
Notes[]
- McCormack is the third member of the main cast to win an Emmy for Will & Grace. He won in 2001, following Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally in 2000. Debra Messing completed the list in 2003.
- McCormack made a special guest appearance on Debra Messing's police drama series The Mysteries of Laura in February 2015.
Media[]
Photos[]
Videos[]
External links[]
- Official website
- Eric McCormack at the Internet Broadway Database
- Eric McCormack at the Internet Movie Database
- Eric McCormack at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
References[]
- ↑ Pergament, Alan (December 15, 1998). "New Time, Fine Line For Will & Grace". The Buffalo News. pp. C5.
- ↑ Will & Grace: Premiere || Eric McCormack - "Will Truman" Interview || SocialNews.XYZ
- ↑ McLean, Gareth (2003-06-09). "Whatever you Will". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ↑ Thompson, Kevin (1998-09-21). "He's Gay, She's Not". The Palm Beach Post. p. 1D.
- ↑ Gene Wang (February 22, 2017) Original run of ‘Will & Grace’ was revolutionary but problematic; reboot needs to portray queer characters fairly and realistically. The Daily Orange. Retrieved September 9, 2017