Morgan Spector: Mr. Russell Revealed!

'There weren’t a lot of muscular people when I was acting in school, so I was pressed into service as the guy with his shirt off.'

It's no surprise that actor Morgan Spector was often called to take his shirt off he literally smoulders in The Gilded Age, no matter what he's wearing.  His eyes, his beard, his walk, head to toe sexy!  Although there was no nudity from the male cast in The Gilded Age, the producers did wisely get George Russell shirtless.  Even poorly lit, his chest was a site to behold. 

When I was watching Spector in the HBO series, I kept thinking there was something so familiar about the actor.  I thought I'd seen his eyes, his face, and heard his voice before.  I don't think I had though.  I checked out Spector's IMDB page, and don't think I've seen any of his previous work.  When I was putting this piece together however, I think I know when I felt I know him.  Spector looks as if he could be the older brother of senator Jon Ossoff.

Morgan Spector on Instagram

Permission (2017)

' A woman on the brink of a marriage proposal is told by a friend that she should date other men before spending the rest of her life with her boyfriend.'

Split (2016)

'Split is the surreal and epic journey a young woman takes to claim her own darkness and sexuality so she can stop putting it into the hands of her abusive lover.'

Favorite Face of the Day: Morgan Spector

'I may be a bastard, Mr. Thorburn, but you are a fool -- and of the two, I think I know which I prefer.'

George Russell

My love of Downton Abbey, and creator and writer Julian Fellowes, wasn't enough to have me rushing to watch HBO's The Gilded Age when it premiered earlier this year.  There was something about the promotional clips that I saw that had me thinking I wouldn't enjoy it.  I was wrong....

I finally started it last weekend, and finished the first seasons 9 episodes this past Sunday night.  Although the overuse of green screen was annoying, overall I loved diving into the period drama.  The entire cast was spectacular, especially the scene stealing Carrie Coon.  If there was one weak link, it was actress Louisa Jacobson.  Marian is the character who brings us into the story, and although Jacobson is likable and engaging, she fades in certain scenes with some of her powerhouse co-stars.

There are a lot of hot men in the cast, including the incredibly sexy Mr. Russell.  Actor Morgan Spector matches his television wife in every scene and I love the relationship and energy they brought to life.  Even with those black suits and that sexy beard, Spector's sex appeal could not be diminished. 

Spector has done quite a bit of on-screen nudity, and removes pretty much everything, including his sexy beard.  Check out one of his most revealing roles on the NEXT PAGE HERE:

Succulent Selfies:

Morgan Spector

Michael Cerveris: The Valet Virtuoso

Although it took a few months get on board, once I did, I devoured the first season of The Gilded Age back in 2022.  I was instantly taken with the writing, the acting, and the smouldering sexiness of Mr. Russell.  I did a couple of posts about Mr. Russell, actor Morgan Spector after watching. (HERE:)  I also loved actor Sullivan Jones, who I profiled, (HERE:) after seeing him in the min-series Halston. 

Despite loving the first season, it took me awhile to get back to the show, but I just recently finished season 2. I think one of the reasons I was slow to start season 2, is because I tire of these shows with such small episode orders.  It's almost better to wait and watch two seasons together.  

It's not so much that the show (and so many others) only produces 8 episodes a season, it's more that they don't put out a season a year.   If The Gilded Age had done so, we'd be starting season 6 this year and not season 4. That being said, I did love season 2 and am looking forward to watching season 3 soon.  I especially love seeing so many stage actors getting a chance to shine in the New York based production.

The Who's Tommy

One of my favorite parts of season 2, is enjoying seeing more of actor Michael Cerveris who plays Watson, a valet to Dr. Russell.   Usually, the stories for the servants are just 'filler', with the possible exception of Jack's (Ben Ahlers) watch story, which actually moved the character along and changing his trajectory.  Watson's storyline was sadly a way to move the character off the canvas, but because of Cerveris' performance, it hit an emotional punch.

Hedwig

I first discovered the immense talent of actor and singer Michael Cerveris through his performances on the Tony Awards.  I remember still being a teen, sitting at home dreaming in the 90's, watching him perform nominated songs from The Who's Tommy and Assassins.   I didn't know it at the time, but Cerveris was a teen idol briefly in the 80's through his music and his short stint on the show Fame.  He even appeared with a pin-up in Tiger Beat magazine. 

Assassins 

https://www.instagram.com/michaelcerveris/?hl=en

Total Eclipse 

'Total Eclipse was my Off Broadway debut. I was hired to be Peter Gallagher’s understudy, but after both he and Peter Firth withdrew from the show, I was finally given the unenviable (yet very enviable) task of trying not only to embody Arthur Rimbaud, but to live up to the standard of acting excellence and human decency exemplified by Peter Evans. The bulk of the play was the two of us--and often little or no clothing. To be honest, much about the process was traumatic for me.'

Cerveris

Recently DavidAsset, who some of you remember from his appearance on FH, (HERE) posted a video on DreamCap of Cerveris' 2002 turn in Passion.    David shares that back before the orange idiot took over, The Kennedy Center booked first rate productions.  Passion was part of a Sondheim Celebration put on at the Center. I'm a huge fan of Passion and it' music, and still have my DVD of the original production that aired on PBS.  Donna Murphy, originated the role of Fosca in the original production.

I remember at the time reading that Giorgio, (played in the original by Jere Shea) was nude on stage in the opening number.  Sadly, it was not shown in the PBS version.  In the 2002 version with Cerveris, you can see Giorgio isn't wearing any  Italian Risorgimento period undies for his version of the opening number Happiness.  Although I don't think the actor has shown much skin on screen, he's certainly shared a bit on stage.

Passion

Some say happiness comes and goes. 

then this happiness is a kind of happiness 

No one really knows.