Connick Is Mr. Right for 'Grace'

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

On last season's "Will & Grace" finale, Grace was racing on foot across Central Park on her way to the fertility clinic when an accident knocked her to the ground. As she looked up from the dirt path, she saw a man on horseback leaning over to see if she's been hurt.

This season's premiere reveals that the mysterious man on the white horse is Leo, a handsome Jewish doctor played by Harry Connick Jr.

"Will & Grace" creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick had a specific vision of Mr.Right, says Debra Messing, the actress who plays Grace. "They felt that it was very important that Grace meet a menschy, nice Jewish man who happens to be a hottie, and that's what we got with Harry Connick Jr." she says.

New Orleans-raised Connick may not be the first person who springs to mind to portray Jewish doctor, but he isn't worried. "All I?m basing it on is my own personal experience. My mom was from New York and she was Jewish, so technically that makes me Jewish," he explains.

Even though he's a multi-platinum musician and Grammy-winner, Connick says that viewers shouldn't expect Leo to be serenading Grace. "I haven't been asked to sing, and it's kind of nice, actually, because it throws you out of character a little bit when that stuff happens," he admits. "It's been great just doing the acting thing."

This is not his first guest starring role on a "Must See TV" series, having appeared on NBC's hit comedy "Cheers" in 1992. His other acting experience includes a variety of feature films, such as "Copycat," "Hope Floats" and "Independence Day."

When Connick was approached by "Will & Grace," there was no question that he would come onboard. "I just got a call that said, 'Are you interested on being on the show?' and before I even said 'yes' my wife said, 'If you don't do it, I'm going to kill you,' because that's her favorite show," he recalls.

"I'm a fan of the show, and in a million years, I never would have placed myself on top of that horse. It's just so funny just to think that's me on top of that horse -- it just freaks me out," he laughs.

Messing savors the idea of a healthy romance for Grace. "This is a relationship unlike anything that Grace has ever been a part of before and just the little that we've done so far, it feels wonderful to be playing with Harry," she says. Since Connick hasn't joined the series as a regular, it's hard not to wonder how Grace and Leo's story can develop further. Of their future, Messing says, "It's fun to be in a really good, meaningful relationship. beyond that, you are going to have to stay tuned."

NBC's "Will & Grace" returns for its fifth season on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. ET.

'Weakest Link' Tweaks its Format >>