Malcolm Gets, a name that’s become synonymous with stage finesse and screen charm, carved out a unique niche as a versatile performer equally adept in musical comedy and classical theater. Born in Chicago to British parents, Malcolm Gets was the second son and third of four children, and from an early age, his artistic inclinations were evident. He trained rigorously as a classical pianist and made his first foray into acting as a teenager, taking the stage in a production of Annie Get Your Gun—a promising start that hinted at the bright career ahead.
Raised in Gainesville, Florida—the place he’d come to call home—Malcolm Gets honed his craft at the University of Florida, where his tall frame (6’1”) and striking blond features made him a natural fit for the spotlight. His film debut came in 1984 with a role in the indie flick A Flash of Green, shot locally and marking his entry into the world of cinema. But it was after further training at Yale that Malcolm Gets truly began to make waves, particularly on the New York City stage.
There, he balanced his time between Shakespearean works like Two Gentlemen of Verona (1994) and bold contemporary musicals such as Hello Again (1993) and Merrily We Roll Along (1994). Though he earned some acclaim for his nuanced portrayal of F. Scott Fitzgerald in Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994), it was the following year that brought Malcolm Gets widespread recognition. He stepped into the role of Richard Karinsky—a sharp-tongued, introspective colorist—on the NBC sitcom Caroline in the City, opposite Lea Thompson’s neurotic cartoonist. Critics may not have raved, but audiences connected with the evolving relationship between Caroline and Richard, a storyline writers developed over several seasons.
As the show neared its end, Malcolm Gets returned to his theatrical roots, headlining William Finn’s deeply personal musical A New Brain in 1998. Once Caroline wrapped, the openly gay actor embraced complex roles with emotional depth, including a critically praised turn as the homosexual king in a San Francisco production of Edward II. He also appeared in the independent film Nine Scenes About Love, filmed in 2000, further showcasing Malcolm Gets’ range across mediums. Through every phase of his journey, Malcolm Gets has remained a compelling presence—onstage, onscreen, and always unmistakably himself.
Malcolm Gets has had a pretty solid career in film, and when it comes to his most acclaimed work, Grey Gardens from 2009 definitely stands out. Yeah, that one’s widely regarded as Malcolm Gets’s highest rated movie, earning praise from both critics and audiences alike. On the other hand, not every project hits the same high notes—take Love in the Time of Money (2002), for example. That one ended up being Malcolm Gets’s lowest rated film, at least according to the reviews. Still, it’s interesting to see the range in his filmography. Malcolm Gets clearly isn’t afraid to take on diverse roles, even if some resonate more than others. Overall, Malcolm Gets continues to be a compelling presence on screen, with Grey Gardens shining as a real highlight in his career.