T.R. Knight, Like George O’Malley, Takes Life in Stride & Carries On
T.R. Knight, who made headlines Thursday by officially confirming he is gay, is finding that life goes on. And that above all, it's busy.
"I'm trying to fit this into a lunch break," the Grey's Anatomy star said at the beginning of a sit-down interview with Scripps Media. "So let's get going."
It sounds like the right moment to offer an apology for cutting into his eating time, but he's not having it. "No, no, no," he says. "Hit me."
The interview is conducted near the hit show's operating room doors. T.R. Knight (whose given name is Theodore Raymond) who plays the hospital's lovable loser, Dr. George O'Malley, is sitting in a waiting room chair, slightly impatient.
Dressed in his blue scrubs, he invokes the image of George, but he's more focused than the sometimes hapless intern. On that day, when dozens of critics are swarming the set, Knight was one of the in-demand actors for interviews.
The same sort of chaos that sets the tone of the show's hospital has come to life in reality. Journalists are darting from room to room. Some are part of organized tours; others are wandering in and out on their own.
It's a rare day when Grey's Anatomy, one of ABC's crown jewels, opens the door to reporters. Workdays for the cast and crew can turn into 18-hour stretches, giving the actors little time to devote to anything but their scripts. Not only that, but creator Shonda Rhimes is notoriously secretive.
Even when the press is permitted in invited groups, the cast can only be available during a break from shooting.
Knight, 33, who started his stage career in his native Minneapolis before going to New York, is relishing George's growth on this day. In a landscape of "McDreamy" and "McSteamy," the rather-plain George is a man all into himself. And one millions adore unwaveringly.
The character's one-night stand with Meredith was a turning point, he says. She didn't want to continue the relationship, and it shattered him.
"When he apologized to Meredith at the end of the season, he realized what his responsibility was in all of it. After acting in a very childish way, he was growing up," Knight said.
Before landing in primetime, Knight received a Drama Desk nomination for his performance in "Scattergood." Knight says his biggest adjustment was leaving New York's boards for Los Angeles' camera lights.
"George and I are different, but the stages of our lives are the same. Everybody has these stages unless you are shut up in a room somewhere," he says. "Moving from theater to television performance, leaving my friends behind in New York, it was all experiences that changed me."
He says in general, he tries not to pay attention to the phenomenal success of Grey's Anatomy.
Internet message boards are totally devoted to George, who has emerged as an unlikely sex symbol on the show. But Knight insists that in real life, he has little time to relish the moment.
"I don't mean to say 'Oh, cry for me. I'm successful.' I don't mean that at all," he said. "There's just going to be some insecurities involved with it all. But, as far as I am concerned, life is fine right now.
"I'm just really busy."
Way to go T.R.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a much braver man than the bigotted Isaih!!!
He carries himself so well as both an actor and person. I’m so proud of him for being able to express who he is and I’ll forever love him as George
I’m sorry, you lost me here, Justin. I thought Isaiah was angry because T.R. was late to the set delaying shooting. How does that make him a bigot? I don’t think we have heard the whole story and hope that you don’t pass judgment or jump to conclusions without having the facts. These people work incredibly long hours and have been together for over two years on a daily basis. It is inevitable that disagreements come up. But, I think that you are mixing issues here. The disagreement with Isaiah happened to come very close to the time that T.R. Night outed himself as being a gay man. It does not mean that one had anything to do with the other.
If your wondering what the above comments are about it’s about the McDreamy vs. Burke fisticuffs session a little while back. Apparently Isiah Washington said something snide about T.R. Knight’s sexuality and Patrick Dempsey said NONONONO! that’s not right. SO it wasn’t a on camera thing, it was a real life fight that T.R. actually broke up.
Not all but some people have forgotten what Greys is all about, and what makes it the #1 show on television. The characters are real, they have flaws, they make mistakes. It’s what makes us relate to the characters. So in my opinion, to release IW from the show when only negate what the show has impressed upon us and made us love the show so much. Things got heated, but all parties involved sat down and resolved the
problem(s), apologized and moved on to more important matters - the show. Unfortunately, there are some who like drama and messes to continue, and won’t let go of things, and for those people the only thing you can do is to ignore them. We all could definitely learn a few things about forgiveness from the Amish community. They have to be the most amazing people on earth. The depth of their forgiveness is just amazing. I don’t know if I could forgive like that, but I’d like to think I could forgive something less devastating.
Where are you all getting your information and why in the world would anyone want to release Isaiah Washington from the show???? I read on People.com and then again on this website that Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey got into a heated arguement about something to do with shooting schedules. No fisticuffs as mentioned above, in fact the article made a point that it did not lead to anything more than words exhchanged and that the problem was solved very quickly between the two of them. I later read in another magazine, something like US, that their argument was about T.R. Knight being late to a scheduled shooting. I have never read anywhere except on fan postings that it had anything whatsoever to do with T.R. Knight’s sexual oriientation. What am I missing? I have never read or heard from any reliable source that this had to do with T.R. Knight’s sexuality. Please check your facts, or cite your sources. Although I do not condone physical aggression at all (grabbing someone by the neck), I can understand why someone being late for shooting a scene, and the article did not state how often this happens, would be very aggravating to those who are standing around waiting when they put in extremely long hours to begin with. Misinformation can cause a lot of harm. Make sure you have your facts straight before posting and starting rumours that may not be at all true.
Well, I looked online for any other articles or news about the altercation between Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington and everthing I found said pretty much the same thing. Apparently Dempsey and Washington were shooting a camping scene on location somewhere and tensions mounted between them for some reason yet to be disclosed (maybe never will be disclosed). When they were back on the set and ready to shoot a scene, T.R. Knight was not prepared and Isaiah Washington became angry. Patrick Dempsey defended T.R. Knight and Patrick and Isaiah argued ending with Isaiah shoving Dempsey stopping production. Both actors worked it out and things are apparently back to normal. Not one story on the event gave any indication that this had anything to do with T.R. Knight’s own recent comments about his sexual orientation.
did you guys hear that they are thinking about pulling Burke off the show? they are going to like kill his character or something becuz they cant work with him becuz evidently he is being very rude and aggressive towards the other actors…..thats just what i heard i dont know for sure tho
I have a lot of respect for T R Knight. Being up front on issues like this isn’t easy. He has handled it very well.
burke.. i’m sorry but i think the other posters are right… isaia was mad because of the timing of a shooting scene but if you look up it come up in some news that when he shout to t.r knight about the whole timing thing he also add some bad words about he’s sexuality, that’s when patrick start the fight
NewsTrack - Entertainment
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ set at war over gay slur
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20 (UPI) — Isaiah Washington may be in trouble for a gay slur he reportedly hurled at “Grey’s Anatomy” co-star Patrick Dempsey on the show’s Hollywood set.
The National Enquirer reported on the fight, which occurred Oct. 9, and was about cast members showing up late to the set. During a heated discussion, the Enquirer said, Washington yelled: “I’m not your little f-ggot like (name redacted).”
The incident reportedly ended up forcing cast member T.R. Knight to acknowledge he is gay.
“I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I’d like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there,” Knight said in a statement. “While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I’m gay isn’t the most interesting part of me.”
The yelling of the slur has reportedly caused extreme tension on the “Grey’s Anatomy” set and could cost Washington his job, the newspaper said.
this was the article i read…
The National Enquirer isn’t a great source, but it was also mentioned on E Online, in “Ask Kristen” recently…. I hope he didn’t say anything that mean, but it would make sense that TR would come out with his sexuality right afterwards.. because besides that, I haven’t heard any rumors in that regard. On the other hand, though it could be speculation resulting from the TR articles recently.
The really doesn’t matter to me. As long as they can resolve the problem is the only thing that matter as far as I’m concerned. If Mr. Washington as a temper, then that can be dealt with through an anger management program. If Mr. Knight is gay then so what, most people thought he was guy anyway. I wish people would just calm down and let them work it out, and hopefully they can continue to give us more great entertainment in Greys. And as far as the media, which I’ve always hated with great passion, I have a few choice words for them…but I won’t say them since I know this won’t get posted if I do.
Thank you for providing the source for these posts. I agree with mj that if they all worked it out everyone should be able to go on with the show. Honestly, if Burke left the show, I would leave the show. I don’t care about a moment’s anger between two or even three actors. The character is integral to the show and would be greatly missed. I still don’t quite get it. If Isaiah Washington said something negative on a closed set, why would T.R. Knight think he had to go public with his sexual orientation. It doesn’t make sense to me why one has anything to do with the other. I don’t believe anything that is printed in the National Inquirer because it is not a reputable source of information. However, I will go to E Online and see what it says. Thanks for the information.
Well I read “Ask Kristen” who implied that in the heat of an argument Isaiah said some unkind things to T.R. I frankly don’t know of anyone who hasn’t. Interestingly she interviewed Patrick Dempsey the day before this altercation and he claimed that the guys had had a great time together on location - bonding in a good way. She then said that we could get the truth of this horrible thing that Isaiah supposedly said on the Naked Truth.
So, I followed that link to the Naked Truth and read what was basically nothing new. The reporter claimed Isaiah had made an unkind statement to T.R. and Patrick defended him.
The lawyers for Isaiah Washington and the show as well as their reps said the reported slur was not true, but what are they going to say. The writer of the column claimed to have an unnamed source who claimed to be on the set that said the slur was true, but of course anyone can say anything when they are unnamed, so I am still not convinced. It all read like someone trying to sell something and make news rather than anyone trying to be report the facts. It is, however, easy to see why there is so much anger out there even from fans of the show.
I respect T.R. for his honesty and I respect Isaiah for his passion if not his aggressiveness.
So, I will chose to forget that T.R. is gay, because George isn’t, and I will also chose to forget that Isaiah might have a wicked temper, because Preston doesn’t. I still like George and will try to believe his love scenes with Callie are realistic (oh wait a minute, I never really thought he was into Callie and it has nothing to do with this article), and I will still love Burke and hope his hand heals and he and Cristina stay together. I sincerely hope that the actors can heal whatever prompted this disagreement and move on and that we can too.
I respect TR’s choice, but IW is still my favourite actor in the show. I hope that they can work things out, because GA needs IW. TR’s choice was influenced also by the fact that his sexuality wasn’t a real secret and until now, there isn’t any evidence of what IW said. So I still support IW and if they are going to fire him, I wouldn’t watch GA anymore.
I agree. He’s my favorite, too, Jess. But then I guess anyone reading the posts on this website knows that. I hope that more fans are supportive of both actors and the cast of our favorite show remains in tack.
I’m sorry i’m from argentina and i didn’t know about the national inquirer or whatever… i just read news about my favourite show… i wouldn’t like that burke going away… ok i don’t know … i’m sorry if i have some grammar mistakes i speak in spanish… soooo my english is not very good…
gracias!
Way to go TR Knight.
Since everyone loves getting there information from the media and trash magazine, did you also hear that ABC would not be releasing IW. Of course not, because that’s positive news. Check out Bang’s Anatomy.com. I can’t remember which thread its under, but someone copied the statement and put it on the site.
Not surprised or interested in T.R.’s sexuality. That doesn’t mean his character shouldn’t be known as Dr. McCutey. Hope by now this is all resolved and that IW is truly repentent for any irresponsible comments he may have made and trust everyone will be on time from now on. They are all lucky to be on this show and should behave like professionals.
George or T.R. is a wonderful actor and i love his charactor on the show; a sweet, charming, loving, cute person. He’s got the best charactor on the show and i love him. I just wish that him and Callie should get back together, they are a wonderful couple, they’re like night and day, and as they say, “opposites attract” !
In Quote of George O’ Mally of episode 2.17, “As we know it”
“Your Dr. Bailey, you don’t hide from a fight, you don’t give up, you strive for greatness, you, Dr. Bailey you are a doer. I
know your husbands not here, and I know, there are alot of things going on here we have no control over, but this, this
we can do………. ok?…………. ok.
Let’s have this baby!”
Hoever would say this, that’s a MAN!!, must be a sweet, loving guy, and i love this man… emfasis on love!
And to add to my last statment…, who cares if he is gay, I STILL LOVE HIM, THE SWEET HEART THAT HE IS.
I’m glad to see all these comments, I’ve been enjoying the show and didn’t know anything about what’s going on behind the scenes–Interesting, I wonder how much is true and how much is media hype??
Most of you all are silly. We will never know the whole deal behind this between the two. Don’t make assumptions based on what some slanted twisted reporter states.
TR may be gay, but Washing will always be a nigger!
bravo! JR ! Im am so proud of you in Coming out and being honest with yourself and everone else !!!!! it will get better, just keep the faith !!!!
hang in there !!!
Comments like Nathans on Jan 18th are only counter productive. Being a double minority myself, I know it’s damn hard striving for social accetpance around every corner, and throwing around racial slurs like that don’t prove anything! It’s small minded comments like these that set us back. My 2nd grade teacher said it best… “If you can’t say anything nice, why talk nobody’s listening.”. Not to be too zen, but my god it’s 2007 people… it’s time we got our shit together!
I’m very proud to be gay and african american, but neither defines me… their merely charactor traits of mine people find interesting.
I think T.R is an amazing actor and i love this character on Greys.A i love the whole show! His character is my fav and same with izzy! There so tight its awsome! and this show should get like 3 million oscars !!!!!
I love this show, my friend and I are going to be Grey’s Anatomy people when we grow up. T.R. Night is so cute, too bad he’s gay cause I’m hot. I am in love w/ McDreamy, McSteamy, Alex, and I expecially love McDreamy and George.
I love this show. I love McSteamy, McDreamy, Alex, George. My freind and I are going to be greys ananomy people when we grow up Please have a fourth season I cant live with out greys ananomy! !!