The Will Truman Files: 7 Shocking Revelations About Will & Grace's 'Will' And Eric McCormack's Newest Project
The character of Will Truman, the witty, pragmatic, and impeccably tidy gay lawyer from Will & Grace, remains one of the most significant and beloved figures in television history. His 11-season run, spanning the original 1998-2006 broadcast and the 2017-2020 revival on NBC, cemented him as a cultural icon whose impact on LGBTQ+ representation is still discussed today. As of December 2025, the legacy of the show continues, particularly through the recent activities of the actor who brought him to life, Eric McCormack, who has offered fresh perspectives on the role and reunited with a former co-star for a major new project.
The enduring friendship between Will Truman and Grace Adler, which formed the core of the series, transcended typical sitcom tropes and paved the way for more nuanced queer characters in mainstream media. Beyond his relationship with his interior designer best friend, Will's personal life—his career as a lawyer, his romantic pursuits, and his role as the mature anchor of the quartet—is what made him so relatable. The latest news, however, focuses less on the fictional Upper West Side apartment and more on the real-life dynamics of the cast.
Eric McCormack: The Man Behind Will Truman—Biography and Profile
Eric McCormack, the Canadian-American actor who portrayed the titular 'Will', has had an extensive career both before and after the groundbreaking sitcom. His portrayal of Will Truman earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2001, highlighting his talent in balancing comedy with dramatic depth. Here is a brief biography of the actor:
- Full Name: Eric James McCormack
- Date of Birth: April 18, 1963
- Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Nationality: Canadian and American
- Spouse: Janet Holden (m. 1997)
- Children: One son, Finnigan Holden McCormack
- Education: Attended Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), School of Theatre
- Notable Roles (Other than Will Truman): Dr. Daniel Pierce (Perception), Grant MacLaren (Travelers), Colonel Clay Harding (The Andromeda Strain), and guest roles in shows like The New Adventures of Old Christine.
- Awards: Primetime Emmy Award (2001), multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Golden Globe nominations for Will & Grace.
The Character's Enduring Legacy: Why Will Truman Still Matters
Will Truman was more than just a character; he was a cultural milestone. When Will & Grace first premiered in 1998, a leading gay character on a prime-time network sitcom was a revolutionary concept.
A Shift in LGBTQ+ Representation
Before Will, gay characters were often relegated to supporting, stereotypical, or tragic roles. Will Truman, alongside his flamboyant best friend Jack McFarland, presented a different picture. Will was a successful lawyer—witty, intelligent, responsible, and well-adjusted—whose sexuality was a key part of his identity but not his sole defining trait.
The show normalized the everyday lives of gay men for a massive mainstream audience, a feat that then-Vice President Joe Biden credited with helping to "educate the American public" and advance LGBTQ+ rights. The character’s maturity and grounded nature, often in contrast to the chaotic lives of Grace Adler and Karen Walker, provided an essential anchor for the show's comedy. He was the pragmatic, tidy, and loyal friend, which made his struggles and triumphs all the more relatable.
The series’ original run and the revival (2017-2020) offered a powerful, long-term look at the evolution of a gay man’s life, from navigating dating in the late 90s to becoming a father in the 2020s. The revival’s final season saw Will and Grace both becoming parents, a final twist that brought their intertwined lives full circle, echoing the original series' controversial finale, which was later retconned.
The Debate on Straight Actors Playing Gay Roles
A continuous discussion surrounding the character is the fact that Eric McCormack, a straight actor, played the iconic gay role. In recent interviews, McCormack has weighed in on the ongoing debate about authenticity in casting. He has suggested that while representation is crucial, the ultimate goal should be for the role to go to the "best actor" for the part, a stance that has generated mixed reactions in the industry.
This discussion highlights the show's place in history: it was a pioneer, but the industry has since evolved to place a greater emphasis on casting queer actors in queer roles. McCormack’s honest perspective on this issue, years after the show concluded its second run, keeps the character of Will Truman and the show's cultural impact relevant in current Hollywood conversations.
The Will & Grace Universe Today: New Projects and Latest Updates (December 2025)
While the sitcom officially ended its revival run in 2020, the cast has ensured the Will & Grace universe remains alive and well. The most significant and recent development for fans of Will Truman is a brand-new collaboration between two of the core four.
The 'Just Jack & Will' Podcast
The biggest news update in the Will & Grace world is the launch of the "Just Jack & Will" podcast, a rewatch show hosted by Eric McCormack (Will Truman) and Sean Hayes (Jack McFarland). This project, announced in 2024, sees the two actors revisiting every episode of the series, providing behind-the-scenes insights, commentary, and a fresh look at the intelligent writing and brilliant comedy that made the show a success.
The podcast is a direct response to the enduring loyalty of the show's fanbase and is a testament to the real-life friendship between McCormack and Hayes. It allows audiences to reconnect with the characters and the dynamic that defined their relationship—the mature, responsible Will and the zany, free-spirited Jack—in a new, unscripted format. This rewatch format is a popular trend, and for Will & Grace, it provides a valuable, ongoing retrospective on the show’s legacy.
The Core Four’s Current Ventures
Beyond the podcast, the other cast members continue to be highly active, ensuring the entire ensemble remains a topic of conversation:
- Debra Messing (Grace Adler): Messing has continued her career in television and film, often taking on roles that highlight her dramatic and comedic range, maintaining a strong public profile.
- Megan Mullally (Karen Walker): Mullally, whose performance as the hilariously acerbic, wealthy socialite Karen Walker earned her multiple Emmy Awards, remains a powerhouse in comedy and is involved in various projects, including music and voice work.
- Harry Connick Jr. (Leo): The actor who played Leo, Grace’s on-again, off-again love interest, continues his successful career in music and entertainment.
- Shelley Morrison (Rosario Salazar): The beloved actress who played Karen’s maid, Rosario Salazar, sadly passed away in 2019, but her character’s memorable relationship with Karen is a celebrated part of the show's history.
The enduring popularity of Will & Grace, 25 years after its debut, is a powerful indicator of its cultural impact. From Will Truman's Upper West Side apartment to the current "Just Jack & Will" podcast, the story of the four friends—Will, Grace, Jack, and Karen—continues to resonate, proving that their groundbreaking comedy remains timeless.
The show's ability to tackle sensitive issues with wit and heart, including Will Truman's journey as a gay man navigating love, career, and friendship in New York City, secures its place as a cornerstone of modern television comedy. The latest projects from the cast ensure that the conversation around Will Truman's legacy is far from over.
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