Eric McCormack Dogged by Will Truman
Eric McCormack tells The Observer he can't get an acting job because he's been typecast as gay:
"I have this big pink cross to bear. I absolutely loved playing Will. There was nothing hard about it. It was wonderful. But the only downside is the aftermath. I meet all these film executives who tell me how much they loved Will and Grace and say they never missed an episode. Then they say, "so what can we do for you?" What they could do for me is hire me to play someone else."
A big pink cross to bear and millions of dollars in residuals.
He can't act, but he CAN produce... Lovespring International anyone?? Have you seen this show? It's hysterical! He should stop complaining about his acting potential and go make more shows like this one!
Posted by: Wayne | Aug 29, 2006 8:16:21 AM
It's been said here already: the problem is typecasting in general, not "gay" specific type casting. Elizabeth Berkeley had to go the Showgirls route to escape Saved By The Bell and none of the cast members from Seinfeld have been able to break their type. However, if some people are offended by his "blaming" the gay aspect of his role for his inability to break type, then I can understand that. But the guy's just voicing his frustration, really. I don't think he's being openly offensive on purpose.
Posted by: Bobby Alexander | Aug 29, 2006 9:08:02 AM
Hmmm...I always gave Eric alot of credit for his roles. If this was such a concern of his, maybe he should have thought twice about some of his choices. Take for example his fabulous version of "Sweet Transvestite" performed for The Rocky Horror Picture Show 25th Anniversary. It was the best act of the show, and his legs looked HOT in fishnet. If anyone has the video, it would be worth posting here.
Posted by: Tom Connors | Aug 29, 2006 9:22:47 AM
Mabe it's Eric's acting ability (inability) that is keeping him from getting jobs. Playing a caricature for years hasn't stopped S. Hayes from getting a variety of jobs.
Posted by: Cadence | Aug 29, 2006 9:47:39 AM
I guess I'm a bit confused about why anyone thinks Mr. McCormack is complaining or in the slightest bitter. Reading a single comment out of context is sort of odd. If one reads the entire article in the Observer, it does not appear that he is at all unhappy. He is simply stating reality. I can't comment on his acting ability, or lack thereof, since I've only seen the TV show two or three times and was a few sheets to the wind when I did so.
Posted by: JT | Aug 29, 2006 10:47:02 AM
What about the guy who played Will's boyfriend, Vince, in the last two seasons of W&G, Bobby Cannavale? He has played a large amount of gay characters on television and in movies, yet he's not complaining about it. McCormack just needs to accept the fact that he's going to be cast in gay roles until he has his chance to break out of them.
Cannavale, who is not hard on the eyes, is straight, as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Cannavale
Posted by: Tread | Aug 29, 2006 11:40:42 AM
It's very simple: he needs to take roles in small indie films-- extreme roles like playing a drug adict or a mad genius. If he can pull it off in a "breakout" role then he instantly has new credibility, if not then he shouldn't be complaining.
Posted by: mr.K | Aug 29, 2006 2:20:48 PM
The comment about having a "big pink cross to bear" is an obvious analogy to Christ bearing his cross. It is not just lame, it is an insult to the people who have to actually bear the cross of homophobia or real problems. Very few actors find the kind of success in their lives, though many without talent do, like any of the many reality shows or people like Tim Allen, Ray Ramono or Tom Arnold to name a few.
From the very start it was clear that neither Will or Grace were the real meat of the show, after Jack and Karen's taking on equal story lines and plots after the first few shows. They were the reason to watch the show.
McCormack comes across the same on talk shows as he did on the show. Not funny and not gay, more like Grace, shrill and clueless.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Aug 29, 2006 2:28:43 PM
Why does he "need" to do anything? He just finished working for 8 years and one wouldn't think financially there'd be a need...so soon after such a series. Why can't those in his shoes just take it easy for a while? Do we need to see him in another role so soon? :) If it were me I'd take some time off to enjoy life.
Posted by: Tom | Aug 29, 2006 9:40:15 PM
Uh, as I recall back in 1998, NBC had doubts about hiring Mr McCormack to play Will Truman because he had only played thugs and criminals on TV before, in some episodic TV and on Another World for several years...during which time he date raped his girlfriend, had a baby out of wedlock and tried to murder his girlfriends Mother. And NOW he's saying that the reason that he can't find a job is because he played one of the most inoffensive gay characters on TV in its history? Okay, pardon me if I don't have any sympathy. Get off the couch dunderhead and audition for MacBeth - and spare me the whining.
JM
Posted by: Jon | Aug 30, 2006 5:47:29 PM