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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[]

Eric_McCormack_and_Gina_G_-_Don't_go_breaking_my_heart

Eric McCormack and Gina G - Don't go breaking my heart

Eric_McCormack_on_George_Stroumboulopoulos_Tonight_(2012)

Eric McCormack on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight (2012)

Eric_McCormack_wins_2001_Emmy_Award_for_Lead_Actor_in_a_Comedy_Series

Eric McCormack wins 2001 Emmy Award for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

The_Concert_I_Never_Gave_Trailer_(2016)

The Concert I Never Gave Trailer (2016)

 External links[]

References[]

  1. Pergament, Alan (December 15, 1998). "New Time, Fine Line For Will & Grace". The Buffalo News. pp. C5.
  2. Will & Grace: Premiere || Eric McCormack - "Will Truman" Interview || SocialNews.XYZ
  3. McLean, Gareth (2003-06-09). "Whatever you Will". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  4. Thompson, Kevin (1998-09-21). "He's Gay, She's Not". The Palm Beach Post. p. 1D.
  5. 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
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