History Trivia / WillAndGrace

** ''Creator/{{John Barrowman}}'' was one of the final candidates to play Will Truman, but they didn't think he was "gay enough."

* IAmNotSpock: When Creator/EricMcCormack hosted Saturday Night Live, during his opening monologue, he sang a song about how he is NOTHING like Will, mentioning his love for (among other things) Steve McQueen movies, beer, and Professional Wrestling.

** Posthumous example: Creator/BillieLourd has played Grace's niece, which makes her the granddaughter of the character played by Creator/DebbieReynolds, Lourd's actual grandmother (via Creator/CarrieFisher.)

** Smitty, Karen's bartender

** Grace's father, Martin, was first played by Creator/AlanArkin. When Arkin was unavailable for the revival, Creator/RobertKlein replaced him.

** In the episode "It's the Gay Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", co-creator Creator/DavidKohan's daughter Olivia and assistant editor Todd Morris' daughter Bianca play trick-or-treaters.
** Creator/MeganMullally's real-life husband Creator/NickOfferman, now well-known as [[Series/ParksAndRecreation Ron Swanson]], played a plumber whom Karen had an affair with on Thanksgiving.

** Creator/AmyCrofoot was a regular extra and occasional bit player. Her notable speaking parts include the school secretary in "I Never Promised You an Olive Garden," the NBC receptionist in "Acting Out," and the nursing student who sang "Hurts So Good" at Jack's graduation in "Speechless."
** Creator/MaryPatGleeson made two appearances as Sally, a kooky homeless woman, during the first run. In the revival, she appeared as Bridget, one of Karen's maids.

** Creator/KyleBornheimer played a waiter in season 8. In season 9, he played Secret Service agent Lenny, whom Jack is sweet on.

* FakeAmerican: Subverted. Eric [=McCormack=] was born in Toronto, but became a US citizen in 1999.

* TheCharacterDiedWithHim: Will's boss Mr. Doucette (Gregory Hines). The revival states that Grace's Mother Bobbi Adler (Creator/DebbieReynolds) passed away between seasons.

* RealLifeRelative: In the episode "It's the Gay Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", co-creator Creator/DavidKohan's daughter Olivia and assistant editor Todd Morris' daughter Bianca play trick-or-treaters.

* HostilityOnTheSet: The on-set feud between Creator/MeganMullally (Karen) and Creator/DebraMessing (Grace) during the rival. Megan Mullally claims she has been "bullied at work" and their feud is the reason why Karen is strangely absent from two episodes of the final season.

* HostilityOnTheSet: The on-set feud between Creator/MeganMullally (Karen) and Crator/DebraMessing (Grace) during the rival. Megan Mullally claims she has been "bullied at work" and their feud is the reason why Karen is strangely absent from two episodes of the final season.

** John Slattery originated the role of Sam, Will's older brother. Steven Weber eventually replaced him.
** Grace's older sister, Janet, was played by Geena Davis during the original run. In the revival, Mary [=McCormack=] took over the role.
** Grace's father, Martin, was first played by Alan Arkin. When Arkin was unavailable for the revival, Robert Klein replaced him.
** Chris Potter played Michael, Will's ex-boyfriend, back in season 2. Cheyenne Jackson assumed the role in the revival.
* RealLifeRelative: In the episode "It's the Gay Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", co-creator David Kohan's daughter Olivia and assistant editor Todd Morris' daughter Bianca play trick-or-treaters.
** Megan Mullally's real-life husband Creator/NickOfferman, now well-known as [[Series/ParksAndRecreation Ron Swanson]], played a plumber whom Karen had an affair with on Thanksgiving.

* UnCancelled: Ten years after the show's original run ended in 2006, the cast reunited in 2016 for what was supposed to be a one-off short to encourage people to vote. It was surprisingly well received, prompting NBC to soon bring the show back for ''two'' new seasons before adding a third to their order.

** While attending the Sundance Film Festival, Sean Hayes was asked to read for Will. Struggling for money at the time, he couldn't afford to change his flight to make the audition. Eric [=McCormack=] had been cast by the time he returned, so the producers asked if he'd like to read for Jack instead.
** Megan Mullally originally read for Grace, which she claims did not go well. She was initially reluctant to play Karen, fearing the character was too similar to Maryanne Thorpe on ''Series/{{Cybill}}''. Ultimately, she just decided to make Karen "weirder," which helped her grasp the part.
** Nicollette Sheridan was one of the finalists to play Grace. [[CastTheRunnerUp She later made a guest appearance]].

** Dax Shepard was initially chosen to play Jackson Boudreaux, but was fired after the first table read. Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally's husband, replaced him.

** Amy Crofoot was a regular extra and occasional bit player. Her notable speaking parts include the school secretary in "I Never Promised You an Olive Garden," the NBC receptionist in "Acting Out," and the nursing student who sang "Hurts So Good" at Jack's graduation in "Speechless."
** Mary Pat Gleeson made two appearances as Sally, a kooky homeless woman, during the first run. In the revival, she appeared as Bridget, one of Karen's maids.
** Nick Offerman first appeared as the plumber Karen contemplated an affair with during the series' original run. In the revival, he returned as Jackson Boudreaux, a bisexual chef interested in both Will and Grace.
** Kyle Bornheimer played a waiter in season 8. In season 9, he played Secret Service agent Lenny, whom Jack is sweet on.

** Megan Mullally's real-life husband Nick Offerman, now well-known as [[Series/ParksAndRecreation Ron Swanson]], played a plumber whom Karen had an affair with on Thanksgiving.

** Rosario was initially planned to appear in the revival, but Shelley Morrison had retired and declined the offer to come back. [[spoiler:They killed Rosario off instead.]]

* RetroactiveRecognition : Julian [=McMahon=] plays "Guy," who chats with Grace in an elevator in Season 1.

** Nicollette Sheridan was one of the finalists to play Grace. She later made a guest appearance.

* RetroactiveRecognition : Julian McMahon plays "Guy," who chats with Grace in an elevator in Season 1.