T. R. Knight Biography

T. R. Knight was just five years-old when he became involved with Minneapolis' Guthrie Theater. Later, he briefly attended the University of Minnesota before dropping out and accepting leading roles at the Guthrie Theater. Eventually, Knight relocated to New York City where he starred in the 2001 Noises Off Broadway revival with Patti LuPone. In 2003, he received a Drama Desk Award nomination for a role in the off-Broadway production, Scattergood. Knight then moved to television and was cast in Charlie Lawrence with Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf. By 2005, he was starring in ABC’s hit medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy.

A year later, Knight became the subject of controversy when co-star Isaiah Washington insulted Knight’s sexual orientation during an argument with Patrick Dempsey. The incident was reported widely in the media and Knight said in a statement to People Magazine, “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. 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.” In 2007, he received an Emmy nomination for his work on Grey’s Anatomy. A year later, Knight left the series, citing trust issues with creator Shonda Rimes as the reason for his departure. Fun fact: In 2010 Knight returned to Broadway to star opposite Patrick Stewart in David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre.