Eric James McCormack, born on April 18, 1963, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a distinguished actor recognized for his multifaceted career in television, film, and theater. He is best known for his iconic role as Will Truman in the groundbreaking NBC sitcom Will & Grace, which originally aired from 1998 to 2006. McCormack's portrayal of Will not only garnered him critical acclaim but also helped to reshape the representation of LGBTQ+ characters on television, earning him a devoted fanbase and numerous accolades.
McCormack's journey into the world of acting began during his high school years, where he participated in various school plays. He pursued further studies in drama at Ryerson University but left in 1985 to join the renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Over the next five years, he honed his craft through a series of stage performances, which laid a sturdy foundation for his future career.
In the late 1990s, McCormack moved to Los Angeles, where he took on minor roles in several television series, including Top Cops, Street Justice, and Lonesome Dove: The Series. His feature film debut came in 1992 with the science-fiction adventure The Lost World. However, it was his role as Will Truman in Will & Grace that catapulted him to stardom. The show, which premiered in September 1998, became a cultural phenomenon and earned McCormack six Golden Globe nominations and four Emmy nominations. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2001, solidifying his status as a leading man in Hollywood.
Following the conclusion of Will & Grace in 2006, McCormack continued to explore diverse roles. He made his Broadway debut in the celebrated production of The Music Man in 2001 and starred in the 2005 film The Sisters. He also took on the lead role in the New York production of Some Girl(s) after the sitcom's end. McCormack then starred in the 2008 television miniseries The Andromeda Strain and returned to the small screen in 2009 with the TNT drama Trust Me, although the series was short-lived.
In 2009, he appeared in the science-fiction film Alien Trespass and became known for his role as Dr. Daniel Pierce in the TNT crime drama Perception, which he portrayed for three seasons. He also voiced the character "Lucky" in the animated series Pound Puppies and starred alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus in The New Adventures of Old Christine from 2009 to 2010.
In more recent years, McCormack joined the cast of the 2021 series Departure, showcasing his continued relevance in the entertainment industry. In 2023, he returned to Broadway to perform in The Cottage, further demonstrating his versatility as an actor.
Throughout his career, McCormack has balanced his professional endeavors with his personal life, being married to Janet Leigh Holden since August 3, 1997. His journey from a young actor in Toronto to a celebrated star in both Canadian and American entertainment reflects his talent, dedication, and ability to connect with audiences across various platforms.