Michael is Will's ex-boyfriend. He is Will's last significant relationship before Vince D'Angelo.
Biography[]
Michael dated Will for seven years, and they lived together in Will's apartment during this time[1]. Grace and Jack have mentioned that Will had issues with sharing during his relationship with Michael.[2] They eventually broke up in November of 1997, less than year prior to the beginning of the series[3]. It is implied that Michael broke up with Will, though the reason is never mentioned.[4] Jack mentions that Will tried to win him back by standing outside his bedroom window singing a medley of Peter, Paul, and Mary songs.[5] Two months after their breakup, he started dating Andrew Kirkland.
The break up would leave a lasting effect on Will that Michael is still referred to as the love of his life several times, and throughout the early seasons, Will is frequently seen still pining over him.[6][3]
He appears during the second season when he hires Grace to decorate his new apartment. Will mistakenly believes Michael is trying to rekindle their romance, but it is later revealed that Michael is actually moving in with Andrew.[7]
Michael returns in season nine episode The Beefcake and the Cake Beef. He is no longer with Andrew, and starts to date Will again, after Will "accidentally" likes an old post, of Michael's, on Instagram, in the previous episode. He believes Jack has always been in love, with Will. Will breaks up with him, after realizing, with Jack's help, that Michael is a user and just dating Will, for his money.
Notes[]
- He once went Buddhist with Grace for a week.
- Before their break up, he bought Will a scarf he still keeps, which according to Jack only costs $12.[3]
- Cheyenne Jackson replaces Chris Potter when the character reappears during the revival series, even though the actors have a 15-year age difference.
Quotes[]
| Michael: | Oh, Grace, one thing. I want the powder room to be kinda butch. |
| Grace: | Well, let's start with not calling it the powder room. |