Keir Gilchrist

Keir: (about doing a particular scene with onscreen mom Toni Collette in "United States of Tara") That was the scene I auditioned with, it was really cool. But I remember I was very nervous about doing it (for the actual show), because I hadn't really worked with her for long, and it was one-on-one with Toni Collette in my pyjamas in a bed. It was pretty nerve-racking. But she made me feel really comfortable, so it was fine.

Keir: I really like working in front of a live audience because I've done theater once. I did a play in Toronto for nine weeks. I like having the audience there to bounce off, you know, you make a joke and they laugh. And that really gives you more energy. Gives you energy to go on.

Keir: (on his family's reaction about his rising career; in a 2009 interview) Not to say they doubted, but you know, you don't expect to make it, like, to here. Everyone's pretty stoked.

Keir: (about becoming a role model for gay teens for playing Marshall on "United States of Tara") That, to me, was really – I kind of started thinking about that and that made me feel really happy. If I can make anybody feel more comfortable about themselves, that's, you know, that's extra. I'm actually kind of excited about it.

Keir: I don't really have any gay friends, at least who are out yet. I find, I don't know if it's as much other places as where I live, it's more open, but at my school it wouldn't be very easy to be openly gay.

Keir: (about his friends' reaction with him playing a gay character on TV) My friends will make jokes, but they're all very accepting. If they weren't, I wouldn't be friends with them. If they were like, 'Oh, you're playing gay. I have a big problem with that,' that wouldn't be cool.

Keir: (on what drew him to play Marshall on "United States of Tara") One, it's a combination of a great show and then just a really fun part, so it was something else I hadn't done before. I never really get to play a cool, suave character. I usually play nerds, so it was cool to do that.

Keir: As much as people say we're a cooler generation, there's a lot of homophobia still.

Keir: (on attending a special school for young athletes and actors) Before I went to this school, I hated jocks. But now I'm friends with them.

Keir: (on working with Toni Collette) It's a pretty amazing kind of thing, working with an actress who's that good - just straight up THAT good.

Keir: (describing his auditions for "United States of Tara">) That was pretty intense,in a room with a bunch of other boys who look like you, and are just as good as you, basically.