Why Stuart Lane From Suits LA Looks So Familiar

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Contains spoilers for Season 1 of “Suits LA”

In every story, a hero often faces an adversary, and for the shrewd negotiators from “Suits LA”, this rule holds true as well. To provide a contrast to the righteous and morally upright character of Ted Black (Stephen Amell, known for his role in “Arrow”), there’s the driven and unscrupulous Stuart Lane (Josh McDermitt). As the series unfolds, Stuart orchestrates the exclusion of Ted from their firms’ merger, forcing Ted to rebuild from scratch. This event transforms what were once partners into fierce competitors.

BlackLane Law has been dissolved and divided into two separate firms: Black and Associates, and Railsback Lane. This move leaves Ted to stand alone in his new endeavor, as even his protégé Rick Dodson (Bryan Greenberg from “The Mindy Project”) is no longer by his side. To reach this juncture, Stuart had to betray 15 years of friendship, a decision that seems surprising yet he is willing to make it.

Unlike Stuart, Josh McDermitt’s journey to success has been less aggressive. He initially worked in comedy clubs and eventually transitioned into acting. From a tense employee at Burger Chef to a big-haired, compassionate survivor of a zombie apocalypse, here are some places where you might recognize the actor from.

Last Comic Standing

At first, Josh McDermitt aspired to become a policeman rather than pursue a career in entertainment; however, destiny had other plans for him. When he was just 15 years old, he found himself delving into radio production after creating a set of characters while making song requests on the radio. This continued for a decade until he landed his next opportunity on an unexpected platform: the reality show “Last Comic Standing.” After two years spent performing live in comedy clubs and working with the Groundlings, he managed to reach the semi-finals during Season 4 before being eliminated through viewer voting. Yet, Josh returned as a guest judge during Season 6 of the show.

McDermitt embarked on a nationwide tour, serving as the opening act for various comedians like Joe Rogan, Louis CK, and Dave Attell, and joining the improv group Robert Downey Jr. Jr. In an interview with Composure magazine, he shared that these experiences have greatly influenced his acting career by helping him create more nuanced characters. As he put it, “Comedy has been my foundation, and it still influences every character I play. I don’t think about making a character funny; instead, I focus on making them seem authentic or revealing their truth. People are inherently amusing, especially the most serious ones.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how humor permeates his perspective. He’s not only brought laughter to the world of “The Walking Dead” through a witty demise for his character Eugene Porter, but he’s also graced other platforms like “@Midnight,” “Hollywood Game Night,” and “Hell’s Kitchen” with his quick-witted appearances.

Retired at 35

As a devoted fan, I’d rephrase it this way: My first significant acting role was in the TV Land sitcom “Retired at 35,” where I brought Brandon, the laid-back pal of David Robbins (Johnathan McClain), to life. David, having been entrenched in New York’s vibrant nightlife, decides to swap city life for Florida after discovering that his parents, Alan (George Segal) and Elaine (Jessica Walter), were planning to divorce. In an effort to revive their love story, David finds himself navigating new waters, as his parents are more engrossed in the pursuit of being swinging singles than giving him their full attention. Essentially, he’s starting over in a brand-new place.

During Season 2, Brandon found himself in a romantic situation with Amy, David’s bubbly sister, played by Marissa Jaret Winokur. Amy was attracted to Jared (John Ross Bowie), who was seeking a green card, but the sincerity of Brandon’s affection pulled her back towards him. Unfortunately, the show didn’t continue beyond two seasons as it was ultimately canceled.

The Walking Dead

To the present day, Josh McDermitt is best known for his portrayal of Eugene Porter in “The Walking Dead.” Following his entry into Rick’s group, which was separated in a scene that McDermitt described as emotionally challenging to shoot, Eugene ultimately winds up in the Commonwealth. In this setting, the awkward yet endearing survivor encounters difficulties and is accused of crimes against this miniature police state. Over time, he experiences love and demonstrates his worth as a leader and spouse.

Playing Eugene presented both challenges and enjoyable moments in McDermitt’s life. It was a deeply personal part for him as he modeled Eugene’s voice after his brother, which caused some friction with his sibling. Adapting to Eugene’s famous mul hairstyle required some time.

During my audition for ‘The Walking Dead’, there was a gossip that this role would feature a mohawk, and I had some concerns because I don’t suit bald spots anywhere on my head, McDermitt shared with Composure magazine. However, when I reached Georgia and learned I would sport a mullet instead, I thought it would be fantastic…until they actually gave me the mullet haircut. Then I cried for quite a few months. Yet, eventually, the style started to appeal to me. Regardless of his feelings about it, he’ll always be linked to that particular hairstyle in people’s minds.

Mad Men

In Season 7 of “Mad Men,” Josh McDermitt solidified his skill as a dramatic actor by playing George Payton, a character who appeared twice. George is an acquaintance of Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), and he helps Pete chase after a promising account for Burger Chef. However, Pete eventually gives the account to Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss), leading to a typical disaster involving Sterling Cooper. Notably, McDermitt made his first appearance as George in the episode titled “The Monolith,” which was broadcast a few months after he initially appeared as Eugene on “The Walking Dead.

Although McDermitt didn’t stay long on “The Walking Dead”, his brief stint on the popular zombie series aided him in securing his role on “Mad Men”. In a Q&A with AMC, he mentioned that everyone else auditioning was dressed in business suits and fit the mold of characters from “Mad Men”. Additionally, McDermitt shared that the creator of “Mad Men”, Matthew Weiner, was an ardent fan of “The Walking Dead” and was thrilled about his casting on that show. Despite sporting a mullet, they still chose him for the role.

Josh McDermitt’s everyday appearance contrasts significantly with that of Eugene, which may have aided him in securing his initial opportunity. Subsequently, additional opportunities followed: Having demonstrated his substantial acting abilities, McDermitt appeared on the revival of “Twin Peaks” and portrayed Glenn Beck in the Showtime miniseries “The Loudest Voice.” Nevertheless, maintaining visibility in the public eye was facilitated by his ongoing role as Eugene Porter on “The Walking Dead.

Lilly

In my gaming world, I just caught a glimpse of Josh McDermitt in the movie “Lilly.” This biopic revolves around Lilly Ledbetter, a factory worker whose struggle for equal pay led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Patricia Clarkson portrays Lilly herself, while McDermitt takes on the role of Alabama congressman Dan McGinty. The corrupt nature of this politician in the film creates legal troubles for Lilly as she strives to secure her future and navigate through the highs and lows of her crusade for justice.

2024 saw the arrival of the film “Lilly,” but it didn’t create much buzz. Critics at Variety described it as a forgettable movie with a puzzling narrative tone, filled with bothersome archival material and peculiar stylistic decisions. However, one positive aspect that the film showcased was McDermitt’s versatility as an actor. He delivered an outstanding performance as a self-driven and morally questionable Congressman, even though “Lilly” may not be remembered among his best films. His portrayal in this movie highlights why he was an ideal pick for Stuart Lane in “Suits LA.

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2025-02-25 13:30