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More about ‘Ugly Betty’ boyfriend Christopher Gorham
Some things you might not know about Californian Christopher Gorham, the steady-ready actor best known as Betty’s second boyfriend, Henry, on “Ugly Betty”:
He was warned that the drive from El Paso to San Antonio was the worst in the world. Yet Gorham rather liked the subtle changes in terrain. And the traffic beat the flat drive to and from Los Angeles and his original hometown, Fresno.
He’s been typed as a “nice guy” and a “smart guy” for 12 years of almost uninterrupted TV work.
In high school, he wanted to play Caliban, the monster from “The Tempest.” He still dreams about playing “Wolverine.” Another wish was to play in indie movie favorite “Lars and the Real Girl.”
Lucky to look young, the 34-year-old has been offered umpteen “teenage slasher” roles. But he’s always on a series and available for three months out of the year.
“Also I’m picky,” he says, which drives his manager crazy.
In TV series, including his current “Harper’s Island,” he often plays opposite twentysomethings. “It’s strange,” he says. “I sometimes feel like ‘The Old Man and the Sea.’ ”
He met America Ferrera for only a few minutes before he was chosen to play Henry on “Betty.” His role was first envisioned as a one-episode shot as a “surly, grumpy accountant.” That grew into four episodes, then two seasons. Producers split Henry and Betty, at first, for the romantic sparks, and again probably because they didn’t want Betty saddled with a single dad.
He’s only played one dumb role: An alcoholic frat guy on “Felicity.” “It was fun,” he says.
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