Eric McCormack Biography Quotes 5 Report mistakes
| 5 Quotes | |
| Occup. | Actor |
| From | Canada |
| Born | April 18, 1963 |
| Age | 62 years |
Eric McCormack was born on April 18, 1963, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and grew up with a deep appreciation for performance and storytelling. He studied drama at the Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and left to pursue professional work at the Stratford Festival. During multiple seasons at Stratford, he developed a disciplined stage craft in a range of classical productions, experience that shaped his timing, vocal control, and ensemble instincts.
Stage Foundations
The rigor of classical theater gave McCormack a foundation he would draw on throughout his career. In repertory companies he learned to pivot between roles and tones, building a versatility that later defined his television work. The collaborative atmosphere of the Canadian stage world also introduced him to directors, designers, and actors who prized precision and generosity, qualities that became hallmarks of his on-camera presence.
Early Screen Work
By the early 1990s, McCormack's screen credits grew steadily. He appeared in television movies and series on both sides of the border, gaining wider recognition in the Western drama Lonesome Dove: The Series and its continuation, The Outlaw Years. The roles showed his range beyond classical theater, and they prepared him for the pace and demands of American network television, where comedy, drama, and character work often converge.
Television Breakthrough
McCormack's breakthrough came in 1998 with Will & Grace on NBC, created by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. As Will Truman, a meticulous and witty lawyer, he anchored a four-person ensemble with Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, and Megan Mullally. The chemistry among the leads, guided by veteran directors and writers, helped the series become a cultural touchstone. McCormack earned widespread acclaim and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2001, along with multiple nominations from other major guilds and associations. Beyond ratings and awards, the series broadened conversations about LGBTQ representation on mainstream television, and McCormack became closely associated with that shift.
Continuing Career
After the original Will & Grace concluded in 2006, McCormack diversified his roles. He headlined the drama Perception (2012, 2015), playing neuroscientist Daniel Pierce opposite Rachael Leigh Cook, balancing procedural storytelling with character-driven themes. He later starred in Travelers (2016, 2018), a science-fiction series created by Brad Wright, in which he portrayed Grant MacLaren; he also served as a producer on the project. The ensemble, including MacKenzie Porter, Nesta Cooper, Jared Abrahamson, Reilly Dolman, and Patrick Gilmore, emphasized teamwork and moral complexity, and the series won a devoted audience. Alongside television, McCormack continued to return to the stage in both the United States and Canada, maintaining ties to live performance while working steadily in film and television.
Revival and Renewed Impact
In 2017, McCormack reunited with Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, and Megan Mullally for the Will & Grace revival. The updated series reintroduced its characters to a new political and cultural moment, resonating with longtime viewers and a new generation. The reunion underscored the enduring rapport among the cast and the continuing relevance of the show's social themes.
Personal Life and Advocacy
McCormack married Janet Holden in the late 1990s, and they have a son, Finnigan. Originally from Canada, he later became a dual citizen of Canada and the United States. His profile from Will & Grace positioned him as an ally in conversations around LGBTQ visibility, and he has supported charitable and arts-related causes through public appearances and benefit events. He frequently acknowledges the partners and collaborators who shaped his career, from Kohan and Mutchnick to the core cast of Will & Grace, and the creative teams behind Perception and Travelers.
Legacy
Eric McCormack's career reflects a steady evolution from Canadian classical theater to internationally recognized television. His portrayal of Will Truman remains a signature achievement, not only for its comedic precision but also for its cultural significance. By continuing to move between genres and mediums, and by investing in collaborative ensembles onstage and onscreen, he has sustained a reputation for intelligence, versatility, and generosity as a colleague and performer.
Our collection contains 5 quotes who is written by Eric, under the main topics: Funny - Equality - Aging - Letting Go - Perseverance.
Other people realated to Eric: David Schwimmer (Actor), Laura Kightlinger (Comedian)