Today T. R. Knight, who plays Dr. George O'Malley on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, confirmed to People Magazine that he is gay. Said Knight, “I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there. While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."

It shouldn't be, but there is little doubt there will be a great deal of media interest in Knight's coming out. He is, after all, a star of one of ABC's most important shows.

Knight doesn't address exactly what led him to come out, but speculation is that it has something to do with the recent fight between Grey regulars Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington. The National Enquirer reported last week that a scuffle broke out on set between Dempsey and Washington when Washington grew annoyed with another cast member's tardiness. During the fight, Washington reportedly said to Dempsey, “ I'm not your little faggot like (name deleted).” That name apparently was Knight's whom reports also have Washington calling a “bitch” at one point earlier during the argument.

When contacted for a comment by AfterElton, Mr. Knight's publicist said he wasn't doing interviews at this time.

The 33 year old actor grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota before moving to New York in hopes of establishing a career in theater. In an interview earlier this year with Back Stage West, Knight talked about his struggle to establish himself in New York. Said Knight, "It's just hard with New York rent to survive, even if you're lucky to be working. The last Off-Broadway show I did was, like, $187 a week ... Luckily, I was able to get some commercial work every once in a while that would float me."

Knight did land work including roles on Off-Broadway, but they didn't always work out. After getting fired from one job, Knight's representation dropped him and he wound up working as a reader for the Roundabout Theater Company. Then Knight finally landed another acting job that ironically took him back to Minneapolis where he was to perform in Amadeus. Broke, Knight decided Amadeus would be his final curtain call.

Things didn't quite work out that way, and Knight wound up returning to New York in a revival of Noises Off that in turn led to other parts including his role as George O'Malley on Grey's Anatomy. The role of O'Malley was one that Knight wanted desperately, but feared he wouldn't get.

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