On ABC’s new hospital dramedy “Grey’s Anatomy,” newcomer T.R. Knight has scored some of the best reviews in the cast for his endearing work as bumbling intern George O’Malley.
The New York theater veteran says he understands the character’s broad appeal. “It’s a little depressing, but I relate to him on some levels,” Knight says, laughing. “The great thing about him is that everyone relates to being put upon and not understood.
“I think he definitely is more skilled than he lets himself believe he is, but George gets in his own way, as far as confidence and letting himself be thrown. I don’t think he is a bad surgeon in any sense, although he obviously has a lot to learn.”
Growing up in Minneapolis, Knight began acting as a child and kept at it after graduating from high school, working and training at the Twin Cities’ highly regarded Guthrie Theater.
“I learned a lot, and I was happy to be there,” he says. “It’s not easy filling that huge house and that severe stage. Just the technical demands are pretty daunting. And just to be in a theater that has so many resources: dialogue coach, vocal coach, the costumes, everything so elaborate. I didn’t go to a theater training school, but that was a great learning experience.”
Birth date: March 26, 1973.
Birthplace: Minneapolis.
Those initials: “My birth certificate says ‘Theodore Raymond,’ but I’ve been called ‘T.R.’ since I was a baby.”
The roots of his craft: T.R. frequently dyes his hair to suit various roles he takes on.
