Eric McCormack
Eric McCormack – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Learn about Eric McCormack: the Canadian-American actor best known as Will Truman from Will & Grace, his career in TV, film, and theatre, his influence and legacy, and some memorable quotes.
Introduction
Eric James McCormack (born April 18, 1963) is a Canadian-American actor, producer, singer, and writer. Over decades, he has become a familiar face in television and theatre, achieving international recognition for his role as Will Truman on the sitcom Will & Grace. With work spanning theatre, drama, comedy, and science fiction, McCormack’s versatility and presence make him a significant figure in contemporary acting.
Early Life and Family
Eric McCormack was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on April 18, 1963. His parents were Doris (a homemaker) and James “Keith” McCormack (a financial analyst in the oil industry). He is the eldest of three siblings and has Scottish ancestry.
Growing up, McCormack described himself as somewhat shy and not athletically inclined, but he found solace and identity in theatre early on: “I was a bit of an outsider, but I discovered theatre very early on, which got me through.” He attended Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute (in Scarborough), where he participated in high school productions such as Godspell and Pippin.
McCormack enrolled in Ryerson University’s Theatre School in Toronto but left in 1985 to accept a position with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, where he spent about five seasons performing in classical theatre productions. Over those years, he appeared in works like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry V, Murder in the Cathedral, and Three Sisters.
Career and Achievements
Early Screen Work
McCormack’s early screen roles began in the mid-1980s. His Canadian television debut was in The Boys from Syracuse (1986). He also took minor roles in U.S. TV series like Top Cops, Street Justice, Lonesome Dove: The Series, and Ally McBeal.
In film, he made his feature debut with The Lost World (1992), a science-fiction adventure adaptation. He also appeared in its sequel Return to the Lost World. Over the 1990s, McCormack built up his screen résumé with varied roles, steadily increasing visibility.
Breakthrough: Will & Grace
McCormack’s major breakthrough came when he was cast as Will Truman on the sitcom Will & Grace, which premiered in September 1998. His character is a gay lawyer, and McCormack—straight in real life—brought depth, warmth, and relatability to the role.
The show was popular, critically acclaimed, and culturally significant. McCormack earned several award nominations: six Golden Globe nominations, four Emmy nominations, and he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2001.
Will & Grace ended its original run in 2006. It was later revived (2017–2020), allowing McCormack to revisit the role and maintain connection with the show’s audience.
Later Work: Drama, Sci-Fi & Producing
After Will & Grace, McCormack expanded into more dramatic and genre roles:
-
He starred as Dr. Daniel Pierce in Perception (TNT), a crime drama featuring a brilliant neuroscientist solving complex cases.
-
He appeared in the sci-fi series Travelers as Grant MacLaren.
-
He worked in miniseries like The Andromeda Strain (2008) and in various TV and film projects.
-
He also has his own production company, Big Cattle Productions, which develops TV ideas.
-
On stage, McCormack debuted on Broadway (e.g. The Music Man in 2001) and performed in other theatrical productions.
Awards & Recognition
-
Emmy Award for Lead Actor in Comedy (2001) for Will & Grace.
-
Multiple Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for Will & Grace.
-
Star on Canada’s Walk of Fame (2010) and Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Historical & Cultural Significance
Eric McCormack’s portrayal of Will Truman in Will & Grace came at a time when gay representation in network television was far less common, especially in leading roles. The show is considered a milestone in mainstream LGBTQ+ visibility and normalization.
His casting as a straight actor playing a gay character has also been part of broader debates about representation. In 2024, McCormack defended the practice, saying that acting means portraying people unlike yourself, and that “best person for the role” should prevail.
Beyond Will & Grace, McCormack’s shift toward dramatic, science fiction, and intellectual roles shows an actor resisting typecasting and exploring diverse material—demonstrating longevity and adaptability in a competitive field.
Personality, Strengths & Challenges
Traits & Strengths
-
Versatility: McCormack has successfully shifted between sitcom comedy, drama, science fiction, and theatre.
-
Relatability & depth: His portrayals often combine humor with emotional sincerity.
-
Work ethic & resilience: He sustained a long career with a signature role yet continues to branch into new challenges.
-
Reflectiveness: McCormack often speaks about character, growth, and the crafts of acting.
-
Advocacy & empathy: He has voiced thoughtful views on mental health, representation, and social issues.
Challenges
-
Typecasting: Following such a definitive role as Will Truman, breaking out into new character spaces can be hard—audiences often strongly associate him with that role.
-
Public perception: As a straight actor in an iconic gay role, McCormack has had to negotiate expectations, controversy, and evolving norms around casting.
-
Industry shifts: The entertainment landscape is changing (streaming, fewer sitcoms, shorter seasons), which affects opportunities. In 2025, McCormack said that “it’s not a sitcom world anymore” and that future comedies would have to be exceptional to draw him in.
Famous Quotes by Eric McCormack
Here are several notable quotes that reflect McCormack’s perspective on acting, life, and identity:
“I was a bit of an outsider, but I discovered theatre very early on, which got me through.”
“I have accomplished a lot, but it didn’t happen overnight for me. I was 35 when I got the show, and had been working professionally for 15 years.”
“The States doesn’t think much about Canada, but we’re attached. We’re like Siamese twins. We can’t do things – you can’t roll over in the American bed without waking up the Canadians. It matters.”
“As a television actor, there’s a power you’re given to use your image to do something valuable. As a parent, these messages are particularly important to me.”
“Most people, if you live in a big city, you see some form of schizophrenia every day, … He’s on the streets because of mental illness. He probably had a job and a home.”
“I always get a little uppity when I hear the phrase ‘TV actor.’ It’s like saying you’re a magazine reporter. I was in the theater for ten years before I ever had a TV audition.”
These quotes reveal his humility, his regard for acting as a craft, and his social awareness.
Lessons from Eric McCormack
-
Success often takes time
McCormack achieved his signature role in his mid-30s after many years of steady work—persistence matters. -
Embrace transformation
He didn’t limit himself to sitcom roles—he keeps exploring different genres and characters. -
Resist being pigeonholed
Reinventing one’s public image requires career choices that go against expectations. -
Use visibility wisely
When given a platform (e.g. Will & Grace), he has spoken about social issues, mental health, and representation. -
Stay connected to roots
He continues to speak of his early theatre days, the value of stage work, and the emotional grounding it gave him.
Conclusion
Eric McCormack is more than “Will from Will & Grace.” He is an actor who has built a durable, evolving career across media. His journey from shy youth in Toronto theatre to Emmy winner, dramatic lead, and producer tells a story of adaptation, perseverance, and artistic commitment.
His legacy includes breaking barriers in representation, embracing new challenges, and using his voice on issues of humanity. If you like, I can also prepare a full timeline of his films/TV roles, or compare his career trajectory with contemporary Canadian actors. Would you prefer that?