Editing Eric McCormack (section)

==Career==

===Early work===
McCormack made his Canadian television debut in the 1986 movie ''[[The Boys from Syracuse (film)|The Boys from Syracuse]]''.<ref name="tcm" /> McCormack moved to Los Angeles and made his US television debut in a 1991 episode of the [[CBS]] crime series ''[[Top Cops]]''.<ref name="tcm"/> He appeared in the 1992 theatrical films ''[[The Lost World (1992 film)|The Lost World]]'', based on [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Conan Doyle]]'s [[The Lost World (Conan Doyle novel)|novel of the same name]] and in its sequel, ''[[Return to the Lost World]]'', also released in 1992.<ref name="tcm"/> By 1993, he landed a recurring role as a detective in the crime drama ''[[Street Justice]]''.<ref name="people">{{cite news|url=https://people.com/archive/will-power-vol-50-no-15/|title=Will Power|last=Lipton|first=Michael A.|date=October 26, 1998|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=July 27, 2009|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307082317/http://people.com/archive/will-power-vol-50-no-15/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 1993, McCormack appeared in the television movie ''[[Double, Double, Toil and Trouble]]'', playing [[Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen]]'s father.<ref name="renamed_from_1993_on_20101220232705">{{cite journal|title=On The Cover The Olsen Twins Star in a Halloween Treat|date=October 24, 1993|journal=[[Newsday]]|page=03}}</ref>

He played the role of Colonel Francis Clay Mosby in 42 episodes of the [[Western (genre)|Western]] television series ''[[Lonesome Dove: The Series]]'' (1994), which was later renamed ''[[Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years]]'' (1995).<ref name="people" /><ref name="actors" /> McCormack commented that it was a "fantastic role".<ref name="mclean"/> In an interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2003, he admitted to auditioning "two or three times" for the part of [[Ross Geller]] for the situation comedy ''[[Friends]]'', which ultimately went to [[David Schwimmer]].<ref name="mclean"/> In 1995, he appeared in the television film ''[[The Man Who Wouldn't Die (1995 film)|The Man Who Wouldn't Die]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/473989/the-man-who-wouldnt-die|title=The Man Who Wouldn't Die (1995)|access-date=February 11, 2011|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|archive-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219004554/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/473989/Man-Who-Wouldn-t-Die-The/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was cast in the 1997 made-for-television movie ''[[Borrowed Hearts]]'', where he portrayed a selfish businessman who learns to love, and in the HBO film ''Exception to the Rule'', in which he played a cheating husband.<ref name="mclean"/>

Also in 1997, he had minor roles in the comedy shows ''[[Townies]]'', ''[[Veronica's Closet]]'', and ''[[Ally McBeal]]''.<ref name="tcm"/> Originally, McCormack was scheduled to appear as a series regular in the [[NBC]] sitcom ''[[Jenny (TV series)|Jenny]]'', but was fired after the pilot due to the network cutting his character.<ref name="pbs">{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/archive/200805/20080523_mccormack.html|title=Eric McCormack|last=Smiley|first=Tavis|date=May 23, 2008|work=[[The Tavis Smiley Show]]|publisher=[[Public Broadcasting Service]]|access-date=July 27, 2009}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> In addition McCormack had a recurring role in season five of the comedy series ''[[The New Adventures of Old Christine]]'', in which he played a therapist and love interest for [[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]]'s character, Christine.<ref name="Porter2009">{{cite news|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/07/casting-call-susan-sarandon-john-goodman-eric-mccormack.html|title=Casting call: Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Eric McCormack|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=July 13, 2009|publisher=[[Zap2it]]|access-date=August 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717040612/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/07/casting-call-susan-sarandon-john-goodman-eric-mccormack.html|archive-date=July 17, 2009}}</ref>

===''Will & Grace''===
McCormack received his breakthrough role in 1998 when he was cast as [[gay]] lawyer [[Will Truman]] on the [[NBC]] sitcom ''[[Will & Grace]]''. McCormack said that when the part came along, he was convinced he was right for the role. "At the end of the audition, [[Max Mutchnick]], co-creator and executive producer of the show said 'That was perfect. Just to let you know, you never have to be more gay than that.'"<ref name="mclean"/> He explained that when he first read the script, "what hit me immediately was that this was me. I mean, [[sexual orientation]] aside, Will was so much like me. He's a great host, he's relatively funny and he has great friends and he's a good friend to them... the gay issue just wasn't really a big thing."<ref name="Thompson1998">{{cite news|title=He's Gay, She's Not|last=Thompson|first=Kevin|date=September 21, 1998 |work=[[The Palm Beach Post]] |page=1D}}</ref> The show debuted on September 21, 1998, and was watched by almost 8.6&nbsp;million American viewers.<ref name="renamed_from_1998_on_20101220232705">{{cite news|title=Prime-Time Ratings|date=September 30, 1998|work=[[The Orange County Register]]|page=F02}}</ref> ''Will & Grace'' quickly developed a loyal audience, with the show and McCormack receiving strong reviews. John Carman of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' commented that McCormack and costar [[Debra Messing]] (who played Will's best friend [[Grace Adler]]) worked "nicely" together.<ref name="Carman1998">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/c/a/1998/09/21/DD39699.DTL|title='Will & Grace' Has Right Stuff To Make a Hit|last=Carman|first=John|date=September 21, 1998|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|access-date=April 21, 2009|archive-date=April 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429153926/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/c/a/1998/09/21/DD39699.DTL|url-status=live}}</ref> Kay McFadden of ''[[The Seattle Times]]'' also praised McCormack, Messing, and the supporting cast as "very funny".<ref name="Mcfadden1998">{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19980920/2773049/tv-knows-best|title=TV Knows Best -- Seattle TV Critic Kay Mcfadden Tells You What To Waste Your Time On|last=Mcfadden|first=Kay|date=September 20, 1998|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2009|archive-date=April 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429084433/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19980920&slug=2773049|url-status=live}}</ref> For the performance, he earned four [[Emmy Award]] nominations (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005), one of which resulted in a win (2001), for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor – Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/award_history_search?person=eric+mccormack&program=start_year=1949&end_year=2010&network=All&web_category=All&winner=All |title=Search results |work=Primetime Emmy Award Database |access-date=January 23, 2011 |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404094735/http://www.emmys.com/award_history_search?person=eric+mccormack&program=start_year=1949&end_year=2010&network=All&web_category=All&winner=All |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, he received five [[Golden Globe Award]] nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/28828|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060521215434/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/28828|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 21, 2006|title=HFPA&nbsp;— Awards Search|work=[[Golden Globes]]|access-date=August 3, 2009}}</ref>

Also in 1998, McCormack appeared in [[Stephen Herek]]'s comedy film ''[[Holy Man]]''.<ref name="Klady1998">{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117913502?refcatid=31|title=Holy Man&nbsp;— Murphy Takes the 'Holy' High Road|last=Klady|first=Leonard|date=October 12, 1998|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=August 3, 2009|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629195658/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117913502?refcatid=31|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was critically and financially unsuccessful.<ref name="1998a">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/holy-man|title=Holy Man (1998): Reviews|date=October 9, 1998|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=July 27, 2009|archive-date=October 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012115526/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/holy-man|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="1998b">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=holyman.htm|title=Holy Man (1998)|date=October 9, 1998|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=July 27, 2009|archive-date=August 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811070116/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=holyman.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The next year he starred in the comedy movie ''[[Free Enterprise (film)|Free Enterprise]]'' (1999), a movie about two filmmakers (McCormack and [[Rafer Weigel]]) obsessed with actor [[William Shatner]] and ''[[Star Trek]]''. Film critic Kevin Thomas of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that McCormack and Weigel "both make a strong impression".<ref name="Thomas1999">{{cite news|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/cl-movie990603-1,0,1960616.story|title=Free Enterprise|last=Thomas|first=Kevin|date=June 4, 1999|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=July 27, 2009|archive-date=June 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617070510/http://www.calendarlive.com/cl-movie990603-1,0,1960616.story|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2000, McCormack appeared in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] television movie ''[[The Audrey Hepburn Story]]'', portraying actor [[Mel Ferrer]].<ref name="Gallo2000">{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117778846?refCatId=32|title=The Audrey Hepburn Story|last=Gallo|first=Phil|date=March 27, 2000|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=July 30, 2009|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629195754/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117778846?refCatId=32|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the 2001 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] season, McCormack briefly portrayed Professor Harold Hill (replacing [[Craig Bierko]]) in the [[Susan Stroman]] revival of ''[[The Music Man]]'' at the [[Neil Simon Theatre]].<ref name="Dominguez2001">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2001/06/11/2001-06-11_b_way_s__man__of_the_hour__w.html|title=B'Way's 'Man' of the hour 'Will & Grace's' Eric McCormack grabs the Baton in 'Music' Revival|last=Dominguez|first=Robert |date=June 11, 2001|work=[[Daily News (New York)]]|access-date=July 27, 2009}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> In August 2002, as part of the [[Hollywood Bowl]]'s summer concert series, he reprised the role of Harold Hill for a one-night only appearance in which he and other actors recreated the songs from the production.<ref name="Mitchell2002">{{cite journal|title=Theater Review; River City Slickers; Eric McCormack, Kristin Chenoweth amp up 'Music Man'|first=Sean|last=Mitchell|date=August 6, 2002|journal=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> McCormack hosted the fourth episode of the 28th season of the sketch comedy show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' <!-- (''SNL'') --> on November 2, 2002.<ref name="a">{{cite episode |title=Eric McCormack/Jay-Z|series=Saturday Night Live|network=[[NBC]] |airdate=2002-11-02 |season=[[Saturday Night Live (season 28)|28]] |number=529 |minutes=90-92}}</ref> In 2004, he had a recurring role as Ray Summers on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]'s comedy drama ''[[Dead Like Me]]''.<ref name="renamed_from_2004_on_20101220232705">{{cite journal|title=McCormack playing 'Dead' this summer|date=June 2, 2004|journal=[[Chicago Tribune]]|publisher=[[Zap2it]]}}</ref> The following year, McCormack starred in the film ''[[The Sisters (2005 film)|The Sisters]]'', based on [[Anton Chekhov]]'s play ''[[Three Sisters (play)|Three Sisters]]''.<ref name="Ebert2006">{{cite news|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060518/REVIEWS/60509004|title=The Sisters|last=Ebert|first=Roger|date=May 19, 2006|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=October 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002081117/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060518/REVIEWS/60509004|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film premiered at the 2005 [[Tribeca Film Festival]].<ref name="Scheib2005">{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117927031?refcatid=31|title=The Sisters|last=Scheib|first=Ronnie|date=May 9, 2005|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629195822/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117927031?refcatid=31|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Will & Grace''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eighth season ended with the series finale on May 18, 2006. The finale garnered 18&nbsp;million American viewers,<ref name="renamed_from_2006_on_20101220232705">{{cite news|title='Will & Grace' Helps NBC Stay Tough on Thursday|publisher=Zap2it|url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings051806,0,2450059.story|date=May 19, 2006|access-date=March 22, 2008|archive-date=December 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215135252/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings051806,0,2450059.story|url-status=dead}}</ref> making it the most-watched entertainment telecast in six years.<ref name="Kissell2006">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/will-has-its-way-in-finale-1200335888/|title='Will' has its way in finale|last=Kissell|first=Rick|date=May 21, 2006|work=Variety|access-date=May 3, 2009|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629195957/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117943818?refCatId=1275|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2017, NBC closed a deal for a new, 10-episode season of [[Will & Grace]] during the 2017–18 season. The new show has been branded as a "reboot", or "revival", taking place 11 years after the original series' finale episode, with McCormack reprising his role of Truman. In August 2017 it was extended again to 16 episodes, and a second 13-episode season was ordered.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|title='Will & Grace' Revival Picked Up For Another Season|publisher=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/will-and-grace-season-2-renewed-nbc-1202515243/|date=March 17, 2018|access-date=September 22, 2017|archive-date=September 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920210657/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/will-and-grace-season-2-renewed-nbc-1202515243/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2018, NBC ordered five more episodes for the revival's second season, bringing the total to 18 episodes, and also renewed the show for an 18-episode third season. Eric McCormack continued his role of Will Truman for all of the announced seasons of the revival.<ref>{{cite news|last=Adreeva|first=Nellie|title='Will & Grace' Revival Renewed For Third Season On NBC|publisher=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/will-grace-revival-renewed-season-3-nbc-season-2-expanded-18-episodes-1202339735/|date=March 17, 2018|access-date=March 18, 2018|archive-date=March 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318055435/http://deadline.com/2018/03/will-grace-revival-renewed-season-3-nbc-season-2-expanded-18-episodes-1202339735/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===After ''Will & Grace''===
[[File:EricMcCormackNov08.jpg|thumb|right|McCormack in November 2008|alt=A caucasian male with dark hair, wearing sunglasses on the top of his head, with a brown suede jacket, smiles]]
After ''Will & Grace'' ended McCormack starred on the New York stage opposite [[Fran Drescher]], [[Judy Reyes]], [[Brooke Smith (actress)|Brooke Smith]], and [[Maura Tierney]] in [[Neil LaBute]]'s [[Off Broadway|off-Broadway]] play ''[[Some Girl(s)]]'' at the [[Lucille Lortel Theatre]].<ref name="ben">{{cite news|url=http://theater2.nytimes.com/2006/06/09/theater/reviews/09girl.html?fta=y|title=In 'Some Girl(s),' a Pond Scum's Love Song|last=Brantley|first=Ben|date=June 9, 2006|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219004540/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/09/theater/reviews/09girl.html?fta=y|url-status=live}}</ref> For his performance, McCormack received critical reviews. ''New York Times'' contributor [[Ben Brantley]], in review of the production, wrote: "Playing a thoughtless, woman-despising heterosexual, Mr. McCormack isn't much different from when he was playing a thoughtful, woman-worshiping homosexual. As in ''Will & Grace'', he italicizes every other line for maximum comic spin and punctuates his dialogue by earnestly furrowing his features".<ref name="ben" /> Brantley went on to say that McCormack's interpretation of the character is "certainly a more slickly sustained performance" than the one delivered by [[David Schwimmer]] in 2005.<ref name="ben" /> Melissa Rose Bernardo of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' commented that McCormack and Tierney "have incredible chemistry".<ref name="Bernardo2006">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2006/06/20/some-girls/|title=Some Girl(s) (2006 - 2006)|last=Bernardo|first=Melissa Rose|date=June 19, 2006|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=September 30, 2019|archive-date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930132809/https://ew.com/article/2006/06/20/some-girls/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the same year, McCormack produced the [[Lifetime Television|Lifetime]] comedy ''[[Lovespring International]]'', a show that revolves around six employees at Lovespring International, a dating agency located in California as an "elite Beverly Hills" company.<ref name="Wheat2006">{{cite magazine|url= https://ew.com/article/2006/06/09/lovespring-international/|title=Lovespring International |last=Wheat|first=Alynda|date=June 9, 2006|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> The series debuted to ambivalent reviews,<ref name="2006a">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/lovespring-international/season-1|title=Lovespring International|date=June 5, 2006|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=August 2, 2009|archive-date=August 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818224906/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/lovespring-international/season-1|url-status=live}}</ref> with Matthew Gilbert of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' commenting that ''Lovespring International'' is "a lively little cable exercise in over-the-top characters, bad taste, satire, and [[political incorrectness]]."<ref name="Gilbert2006">{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2006/06/05/lifetimes_lovespring_is_a_fun_match_of_satire_and_bad_taste/|title=Lifetime's 'Lovespring' is a fun match of satire and bad taste|last=Gilbert|first=Matthew|date=June 5, 2006|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=August 2, 2009|archive-date=October 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005041949/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2006/06/05/lifetimes_lovespring_is_a_fun_match_of_satire_and_bad_taste/|url-status=live}}</ref> The show was cancelled that same year.<ref name="Umstead2006">{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-28819677_ITM |title=Lifetime Scraps Two Series |last=Umstead |first=R. Thomas |date=December 4, 2006 |work=[[Multichannel News]] |access-date=August 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010130227/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-28819677_ITM |archive-date=October 10, 2009}}</ref>

[[File:Eric McCormack - 2009 Comic Con.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=A caucasian male with dark hair wearing a grey shirt is facing to the right, a microphone is in front of him.|McCormack at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in 2009]]
In 2008, McCormack co-starred in the [[A&E Network|A&E]] television miniseries ''[[The Andromeda Strain (miniseries)|The Andromeda Strain]]'', a remake of the [[The Andromeda Strain (film)|1971 movie]] [[The Andromeda Strain|based on the novel]] by [[Michael Crichton]].<ref name="kathy">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/20/AR2008052001336.html|title=A Dilemma of Epidemic Proportions|last=Blumenstock|first=Kathy|date=May 20, 2008|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|page=1|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108144523/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/20/AR2008052001336.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Andromeda Strain'' received mixed reviews,<ref name="renamed_from_2008_on_20101220232705">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-andromeda-strain/season-1|title=The Andromeda Strain|date=May 26, 2008|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=September 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903035633/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-andromeda-strain/season-1|url-status=live}}</ref> and McCormack's performance was criticized. Joanna Weiss of the ''Boston Globe'' wrote, "The presence of Eric McCormack, as an intrepid TV reporter, is especially extraneous (no disrespect to intrepid reporters)."<ref name="Weiss2008">{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2008/05/26/doomsday_plot_of_andromeda_stands_the_test_of_time/|title=Doomsday plot of 'Andromeda' stands the test of time|last=Weiss|first=Joanna|date=May 26, 2008|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=October 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005031517/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2008/05/26/doomsday_plot_of_andromeda_stands_the_test_of_time/|url-status=live}}</ref> Robert Bianco of ''[[USA Today]]'' commented, "The central cast is completed by... poor Eric McCormack as a crusading, coke-addicted journalist who spends the second half of the movie playing Rambo in the desert. Let's just say McCormack does the best he can with what he's given, and leave it at that."<ref name="Bianco2008">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2008-05-22-andromeda_N.htm?csp=34|title='Andromeda' takes a great plot too far|last=Bianco|first=Robert|date=May 22, 2008|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=July 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709161936/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2008-05-22-andromeda_N.htm?csp=34|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 5, 2008, McCormack made a guest appearance in the seventh season and 100th episode of the television series ''[[Monk (TV series)|Monk]]'', where he played an unctuous host of a television crime docudrama.<ref name="McDonough2008">{{cite news|url=http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=104694|title=Tune in Tonight: 'Monk' recaps 100 episodes with parody of news show|last=McDonough|first=Kevin|date=September 5, 2008|work=[[Reading Eagle]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807075617/http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=104694|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="2008a">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2008/07/20/idUS56284+20-Jul-2008+PRN20080720|title=All-Star Guest Cast On-Board When Everyone's Favorite Obsessive-Compulsive Detective...|date=July 20, 2008|publisher=[[Reuters]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726124646/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/07/20/idUS56284+20-Jul-2008+PRN20080720|archive-date=July 26, 2012}}</ref>

In January 2009, McCormack returned to television in the [[TNT (U.S. TV network)|TNT]] drama ''[[Trust Me (U.S. TV series)|Trust Me]]'', co-starring [[Tom Cavanagh]]. The series, set around a fictional advertising firm, starred McCormack as Mason McGuire who is the firm's newly promoted creative director, and deals with his best friend's (Cavanagh) unpredictable behavior.<ref name="Nussbaum2009">{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/arts/tv/reviews/53323/|title=Cornered Office|last=Nussbaum|first=Emily|date=January 11, 2009|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=April 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426040618/http://nymag.com/arts/tv/reviews/53323/|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[USA Weekend]]'', McCormack revealed he was not afraid of being [[Typecasting (acting)|typecast]].<ref name="usa weekend">{{cite news|url=http://whosnews.usaweekend.com/2009/02/eric-mccormack-talks-about-trust-me/|title=Eric McCormack talks about 'Trust Me'|last=Lynch|first=Lorrie|date=February 24, 2009|work=[[USA Weekend]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205090843/http://whosnews.usaweekend.com/2009/02/eric-mccormack-talks-about-trust-me/|archive-date=February 5, 2013}}</ref> His decision to do the show, he said, was due to "great writing".<ref name="loud">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/arts/television/25shat.html|title=They're Not Mad Men, Just Loud Ones|last=Shattuck|first=Kathryn|date=January 25, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=March 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302095529/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/arts/television/25shat.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The show debuted on January 26, 2009, and was watched by almost 3.4&nbsp;million viewers.<ref name="Frankel2009">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/tnt-s-trust-me-has-weak-debut-1117999161/|title=TNT's 'Trust Me' has weak debut|last=Frankel|first=Daniel|date=January 27, 2009|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629200028/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117999161?refCatId=14|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Trust Me'' debuted to very positive reviews, with Tim Goodman of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' writing that "the series is surprisingly solid."<ref name="Goodman2009">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/26/DDTF15G58O.DTL|title=Review: 'Trust Me': 2 BFFs and 1 promotion|last=Goodman|first=Tim|date=January 26, 2009|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=April 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414080937/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/26/DDTF15G58O.DTL|url-status=live}}</ref> Mary McNamara of the ''Los Angeles Times'' wrote that McCormack and Cavanagh "manage to keep their characters sharply defined but low-key. They are opposites but not in an ash-smudged, Windex-wielding Felix and Oscar way."<ref name="McNamara2009">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jan-26-et-trust-me26-story.html|title=Trust Me|last=McNamara|first=Mary|date=January 26, 2009|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|page=1|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715034722/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/26/entertainment/et-trust-me26|url-status=live}}</ref> The series, however, was cancelled after one season due to poor ratings.<ref name="Goodman2009a">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/20/DDKU174TKF.DTL|title=Networks to burst bubbles after dreadful season|last=Goodman|first=Tim|date=April 20, 2009|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=April 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425001612/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/20/DDKU174TKF.DTL|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bryant2009">{{cite news|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/trust-cancelled-season-1004988.aspx|title=''Trust Me'' Cancelled After One Season|last=Bryant|first=Adam|date=April 11, 2009|work=[[TV Guide]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=September 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906055906/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Trust-Cancelled-Season-1004988.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

McCormack starred in the science-fiction film ''[[Alien Trespass]]'' (2009); he played Doctor Ted Lewis, who gets possessed by an alien marshal, Urp, after he crash-lands on Earth.<ref name="vulture">{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/04/alien_trespass_eric_mccormack.html|title=''Alien Trespass's'' Eric McCormack on Playing Possessed|last=Simon|first=Brent|date=April 6, 2009|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=April 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411191002/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/04/alien_trespass_eric_mccormack.html|url-status=live}}</ref> When asked about his interpretation on the character, McCormack commented that his first instinct was to make Ted Lewis more alien, sounding like [[Spock]].<ref name="vulture" /> The film was critically and financially unsuccessful.<ref name="renamed_from_2009_on_20101220232705">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/alien-trespass|title=Alien Trespass (2009): Reviews|date=April 3, 2009|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=February 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201061046/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/alien-trespass|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2009a">{{cite news|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=alientrespass.htm|title=Alien Trespass (2009)|date=April 3, 2009|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=July 31, 2009|archive-date=July 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720074051/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=alientrespass.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Image:Eric McCormack's Star on Walk of Fame.jpg|thumb|right|McCormack's star on [[Canada's Walk of Fame]]]]
In May 2009, he portrayed "El Gallo" in Reprise Theatre Company's revival of the 1960s musical ''[[The Fantasticks]]'' at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.<ref name="Lacher2009">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-eric-mccormack4-2009may04,0,3429917.story|title=Eric McCormack gets to exhibit his macho side in 'The Fantasticks.'|last=Lacher|first=Irene|date=May 4, 2009|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=September 13, 2009|archive-date=May 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530093724/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-eric-mccormack4-2009may04,0,3429917.story|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Verini2009">{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117940207?refCatId=33|title=The Fantasticks|last=Verini|first=Bob|date=May 7, 2009|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=September 13, 2009|archive-date=March 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319043436/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117940207?refCatId=33|url-status=live}}</ref> McCormack had a supporting role in [[Richard Loncraine]]'s comedy ''[[My One and Only (film)|My One and Only]]'',<ref name="Anderson2009">{{cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/movies/my-one-and-only-605315/|title=My One and Only|last=Anderson|first=Melissa|date=August 21, 2009|work=[[LA Weekly]]|access-date=September 2, 2009|archive-date=October 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027110525/http://www.laweekly.com/movies/my-one-and-only-605315/|url-status=dead}}</ref> which was released in August 2009. On September 30, 2009, he guest-starred on the police procedural drama ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' in the second episode of its [[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 11)|11th season]] playing an owner of a dating website.<ref name="Gilbert2009">{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/09/30/critics_corner/|title=Critic's corner|last=Gilbert|first=Matthew|date=September 30, 2009|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=October 19, 2009|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024132637/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/09/30/critics_corner/|url-status=live}}</ref>

McCormack portrayed con artist [[Clark Rockefeller]] in the Lifetime television movie ''[[Who Is Clark Rockefeller?]]'', which premiered on March 13, 2010.<ref name="renamed_from_2010_on_20101220232705">{{cite news|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emmyr-award-winner-eric-mccormack-stars-in-the-highly-anticipated-lifetime-original-movie-who-is-clark-rockefeller-84500097.html|title=Emmy(R) Award-Winner Eric McCormack Stars in the Highly Anticipated Lifetime Original Movie 'Who is Clark Rockefeller?'|access-date=February 17, 2010|date=February 16, 2010|publisher=[[PR Newswire]]|archive-date=February 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220160455/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emmyr-award-winner-eric-mccormack-stars-in-the-highly-anticipated-lifetime-original-movie-who-is-clark-rockefeller-84500097.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Preparing for the role he read everything on the case,<ref name="Albiniak2010">{{cite news |first=Paige |last=Albiniak |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/phony_rockefeller_UBTH1fJabz6pd5qUcBQrRJ |title=Phony Rockefeller |access-date=March 10, 2010 |date=March 7, 2010 |work=[[New York Post]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605172411/http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/phony_rockefeller_UBTH1fJabz6pd5qUcBQrRJ |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> including coverage of the case and Rockefeller's jailhouse interview.<ref name="Heslam2010">{{cite news|first=Jessica|last=Heslam|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100223actor_marvels_at_crockefellers_twists_and_turns/srvc=home&position=4|title=Actor marvels at Crockefeller's 'twists and turns'|access-date=February 23, 2010|date=February 23, 2010|work=[[Boston Herald]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226105506/http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100223actor_marvels_at_crockefellers_twists_and_turns/srvc=home&position=4|archive-date=February 26, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Who Is Clark Rockefeller?'' received mixed reaction, but McCormack's performance was favored by critics, with ''Variety''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Brian Lowry concluding that "the real kitsch factor resides in Eric McCormack's performance as the suave charmer, which adds an element of high camp to the proceedings."<ref name="Lowry2010">{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Lowry|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117942379?refCatId=32|title=Who Is Clark Rockefeller?|access-date=March 16, 2010|date=March 10, 2010|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=December 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203185150/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117942379?refcatid=32|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2010, McCormack received the NBC Universal Canada Award of Distinction at the [[Banff, Alberta|Banff]] TV Festival.<ref name="Volmers2010">{{cite news|first=Eric|last=Volmers|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/Eric+McCormack+honoured+Banff+World+Television+Festival/3161091/story.html|title=Eric McCormack honoured at Banff World Television Festival|access-date=June 25, 2010|date=June 16, 2010|work=[[The Vancouver Sun]]}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> In October 2010, he received a star on [[Canada's Walk of Fame]].<ref name="Quill2010">{{cite news|first=Greg|last=Quill|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/article/876603--humility-takes-a-back-seat-on-canada-s-walk-of-fame|title=Humility takes a back seat on Canada's Walk of Fame|access-date=October 17, 2010|date=October 16, 2010|work=[[Toronto Star]]|archive-date=October 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018072701/http://www.thestar.com/news/article/876603--humility-takes-a-back-seat-on-canada-s-walk-of-fame|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, he received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] for his contributions to the television industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walkoffame.com/eric-mccormack |title=Eric McCormack |date=September 13, 2018 |website=Hollywood Walk of Fame |access-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130030954/http://www.walkoffame.com/eric-mccormack |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2010, it was reported that he would star in a new TNT television drama, ''[[Perception (U.S. TV series)|Perception]]'', playing a crime-solving neuroscientist named Dr. Daniel Pierce, who works with the federal government to solve cases using his knowledge and imaginative view of the world.<ref name="Exton2010">{{cite magazine|first=Emily|last=Exton|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/10/28/eric-mccormack-goes-back-to-tv-in-new-tnt-series-perception/|title=Eric McCormack goes back to TV in new TNT series 'Perception'|access-date=November 5, 2010|date=October 28, 2010|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> ''Perception'' premiered on July 9, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/15/tnt-announces-premiere-dates-for-the-closer-falling-skies-leverage-rizzoli-isles-franklin-bash-four-brand-new-series/124573/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318003653/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/15/tnt-announces-premiere-dates-for-the-closer-falling-skies-leverage-rizzoli-isles-franklin-bash-four-brand-new-series/124573/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 18, 2012 |title=TNT Announces Premiere Dates for 'The Closer', 'Falling Skies', 'Leverage', 'Rizzoli & Isles' 'Franklin & Bash'+ Four Brand New Series |publisher=[[TV by the Numbers]] |last=Kondolojy |first=Amanda |date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2012}}</ref> McCormack also serves as producer for the show.<ref name="Baxton2010">{{cite news|first=Greg|last=Baxton|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/10/eric-mccormack-to-star-in-new-tnt-series.html|title=Eric McCormack to star in new TNT pilot|access-date=November 5, 2010|date=October 28, 2010|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|archive-date=November 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124043520/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/10/eric-mccormack-to-star-in-new-tnt-series.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also provides the voice of "Lucky" on [[The Hub (TV channel)|The Hub]]'s ''[[Pound Puppies (2010 TV series)|Pound Puppies]]'' series, which premiered October 10, 2010.

From March 6 through July 8, 2012, he played the role of Senator Joseph Cantwell in the Broadway revival of [[Gore Vidal]]’s ''[[The Best Man (play)|The Best Man]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |date=30 November 2011 |title=Eric McCormack Joins Starry Company of Broadway's The Best Man |url=https://playbill.com/article/eric-mccormack-joins-starry-company-of-broadways-the-best-man-com-185050 |access-date=11 May 2022 |website=Playbill |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511133057/https://playbill.com/article/eric-mccormack-joins-starry-company-of-broadways-the-best-man-com-185050 |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2015, he guest-starred on an episode of NBC's ''[[The Mysteries of Laura]]'' which stars [[Debra Messing]], his former co-star on ''Will & Grace''. He starred in ''[[Travelers (TV series)|Travelers]]'', a science fiction drama which first aired in October 2016 and ran for three seasons.

In 2020, he narrated a portion of the [[8th Canadian Screen Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.academy.ca/virtualpresentations/#:~:text=Narrators%20will%20include%20Eric%20McCormack,%2C%20Twitter%2C%20and%20YouTube%20channels.|title=Virtual Presentations, Hosts|website=academy.ca|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621153143/https://www.academy.ca/virtualpresentations/#:~:text=Narrators%20will%20include%20Eric%20McCormack,%2C%20Twitter%2C%20and%20YouTube%20channels.|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, McCormack was cast in the fifth season of the [[Shudder (streaming service)|Shudder]] horror series ''[[Slasher (TV series)|Slasher]]'' and the first season of the [[Hulu]] mystery thriller series ''[[The Other Black Girl (TV series)|The Other Black Girl]]'', which both premiered the following year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|date=February 10, 2022|title='Creepshow', 'Kin' & 'Bloodlands' Renewed At AMC Networks As Eric McCormack Leads New Installment Of 'Slasher'|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/creepshow-kin-bloodlands-slasher-renewed-at-amc-networks-eric-mccormack-1234930306/|access-date=August 20, 2023|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210232311/https://deadline.com/2022/02/creepshow-kin-bloodlands-slasher-renewed-at-amc-networks-eric-mccormack-1234930306/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|last2=Rice|first2=Lynette|date=November 3, 2022|title='The Other Black Girl': Eric McCormack & Bellamy Young Join Hulu Original Series From Onyx|url=https://deadline.com/2022/11/the-other-black-girl-bellamy-young-eric-mccormack-hulu-original-series-1235162130/|access-date=August 20, 2023|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=November 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103174618/https://deadline.com/2022/11/the-other-black-girl-bellamy-young-eric-mccormack-hulu-original-series-1235162130/|url-status=live}}</ref>