Performance goes far beyond passion and profit for Wilson Cruz. It's an inextricable part of everyday life for the openly gay actor.

“My mother will tell you there was a never a doubt I'd be a performer,” Cruz says, on the phone from Los Angeles, where he has just finished his daily workout. “I didn't cry when I came out. I sang when they slapped me on the ass. To this day, it still happens! It's fascinating.”

The handsome, charismatic--and often hilarious--Cruz has been able to lend his life experiences to such memorable gay roles as Rickie Vasquez on the short-lived, but eternally popular, television series My So-Called Life; as J. Edgar Hoover's servant Joaquin in Oliver Stone's Nixon; as Victor during the final season of the family drama Party of Five; and as endearing drag queen Angel in the Broadway smash Rent.

The Puerto Rican actor says being honest about his sexuality was never a conscious choice, but simply a natural extension of who he was--and is.

“I knew that I loved being an actor, and I loved performing. But I also was aware enough at the time that I knew that my life, more than anything, informed my art. It still does to this day. I didn't really know how anybody who believed that could hide who they were and live a lie and still be able to be a good actor,” Cruz says.

“I also knew that I wanted to be in love and to have a life. I never wanted to ask anyone in my life to compromise their life for my art. I think that would be a selfish thing to ask of anybody. Also, I don't think I could every love anybody who would be willing to do that."

So far, it's been a rewarding road for the 32-year-old, native New Yorker. Cruz is currently enjoying a recurring role as medical resident Junito on Noah's Arc, Logo's steamy show about the daily lives of four African-American gay men in Los Angeles.

Cruz also pops up Monday (Feb. 13) on the WB's Related, an ensemble drama about four tight-knit sisters. He'll play the boyfriend of Peter Paige (Queer as Folk‘s Emmett), a semi-regular on the show.

Internet rumors had Cruz appearing in 11 episodes of the hour-long dramedy, but he confirmed his appearance in only one installment, with the possibility of more dependent on ratings and the outcome of the recently announced WB/UPN merger. The new network, CW, will debut in September.

“We'll see--which is the story of my life,” Cruz says with a laugh. “It was odd, because they're [Paige's and Cruz's characters]… this conservative couple from Cape Cod who run a bed and breakfast. I'm not exactly the first option that comes to mind, as far as that. I was kind of surprised that they cast me. Somehow, they wrapped their minds around it, and they asked me to do it. I‘m hoping that they‘ll bring me back.”

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