Although best known for his wickedly funny turn as a catty, impeccably clothed-and-coiffed fashion mag underling on the campy dramedy
Ugly Betty, Urie's pre-TV credits are nothing to laugh at. While attending Juilliard's prestigious acting program, he won the 2002 John Houseman Prize for excellence in classical theater, then went on to hone his skills in numerous regional Shakespeare productions. With only one notable screen role on his résumé — as a gay photographer dealing with the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in the New York-set indie
WTC View — Urie landed his breakout
Ugly Betty role as the title character's biggest bully. It was a testament to his talent that he took what could have been a tired gay stereotype and imbued it with humanity as well as humor. Off screen, Urie is an aspiring director and producer, currently at work on
Two Down, a documentary short about high-school speech and debate tournaments.
Michael Urie Fast Facts:
- Used G.I. Joe action figures to act out movie scenes as a child.
- College:
- The Juilliard School, New York, NY; attended Collin County Community College, Plano, TX
