Eric McCormack

Eric McCormack
Name	Eric McCormack
Caption	McCormack in 2014
Birth date	18 April 1963
Birth place	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation	Actor, producer, director
Years active	1986–present
Spouse	Janet Holden, 1997

Eric McCormack is a Canadian actor, producer, and director best known for his role as Will Truman on the acclaimed NBC television series Will & Grace. His performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2001, among numerous other accolades. McCormack has maintained a versatile career spanning television, film, and Broadway, establishing himself as a prominent figure in North American entertainment.

Early life and education

Born in Toronto, he was raised in the city's Etobicoke area and developed an early interest in performance. He attended Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute before pursuing formal training at the Ryerson Theatre School at Toronto Metropolitan University. His early professional work included performances at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, where he appeared in productions of Shakespearean classics like The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice.

Career

McCormack began his career in Canadian television, with roles on series such as Street Legal and Top Cops. He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1990s, securing guest spots on shows like The Commish and Lonesome Dove: The Series. His breakthrough came in 1998 when he was cast as the lead in Will & Grace, a role that brought him international fame and critical praise throughout the show's original run until 2006. Following the series, he starred in the TNT science-fiction drama Perception and later returned for the successful revival of Will & Grace from 2017 to 2020. His other notable television work includes a leading role in the The CW series Travelers and appearances on The New Adventures of Old Christine and Who Do You Think You Are?.

Personal life

He married actress Janet Holden in 1997, and the couple has one son. McCormack became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1999, while retaining his Canadian citizenship. He is an active supporter of various charitable organizations, including The Trevor Project and GLAAD, and has been vocal on issues concerning LGBT rights. In his spare time, he is an avid musician and plays multiple instruments.

Filmography

His film roles include parts in The Lost Wife of Robert Durst, Holy Man with Eddie Murphy, The Architect, and Alien Trespass. He provided his voice for animated features such as Kubo and the Two Strings and the Disney film The Tigger Movie. On television, beyond his series regular roles, he has made notable guest appearances on The Simpsons, Portlandia, and The Great North, and hosted the Game Show Network revival of Lingo.

Stage work

An accomplished stage actor, McCormack made his Broadway debut in 2004, starring as Harold Hill in a revival of The Music Man at the Neil Simon Theatre. He has performed in numerous theatrical productions, including the Los Angeles staging of The Best Man and the Williamstown Theatre Festival production of The Paris Letter. His early work in Canada featured performances at the Canadian Stage Company and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Awards and nominations

For his work on Will & Grace, he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2001 and received three additional nominations. He also earned four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations as part of the show's ensemble cast. His performance was recognized with a TV Guide Award and a Satellite Award. In 2008, he received a Gemini Award nomination for his starring role in the CTV miniseries The Andromeda Strain.

Category:Canadian male television actors Category:American male television actors Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners