Macht on Harvey Specter: 'He is whip-smart...I cannot talk my way out of a bag'

Before he became the "best closer in New York", Gabriel Macht, who plays Harvey Specter on the hit series "Suits", logged thousands of hours in his alma matter, Carnegie Mellon University, in pursuit of an acting career.

 

"When I went to college, I spent that kind of time in school, from going to school from 7:30 in the morning 'til 6 and 9 and then doing a play from whenever, from 7:30 to 11, for four years straight," said Macht, who graduated in 1994.

 

He added, "I don't claim to be a master of my art, but I do feel that persistence and hard work will get you there."

 

Having goals will provide a framework for their practice, but Macht believes that passion should fuel these aspirations.

 

"Harvey would say he doesn't have dreams, he has goals; I think it (takes) a real combination of the two... You have to dream big, and there are endless possibilities when you have dreams," he said.

 

Some contemplation may be needed for students pursuing a degree they despise, but a compromise may be achievable in the end.

 

"My parents wanted me to be a lawyer. Screw them, you know! Okay, so I'm a lawyer on TV. I didn't even go to law school! (But) it is a win-win," Macht joked.

 

Whatever they may end up doing, the actor advised students to mine happiness from the job they end up doing.

 

The last thing I would say is: Enjoy what you're doing... 'cause if you're not enjoying your work then-" Macht shrugged.

 

Slower, but just as stubborn

 

While the actor has played Harvey Specter for all of three seasons of 'Suits', Macht said he had nearly nothing in common with his classy, yet sharp character.

 

"He's a guy who is cocky and whip-smart, and his brain is functioning in many different levels... I am so much more slower than he is; I cannot talk my way out of a bag," said Macht.

 

But the one thing in common he did have with Harvey is the stubbornness that led him to play the character in the first place.

 

"What I've learned from him is that we can all have self-doubt and be really insecure, but if we can just push through that, our persistence may overcome some failure. I find that that's inspiring from him," he explained.

 

Suiting up for a tragedy

 

Although no one was able to 'close' the actor and get juicier details, Macht revealed upcoming events on his law firm-centered show- including a possible spoiler that will change its tone.

 

"Stephen Macht! My father, he's got a cameo on the show. Michael Phelps, (also did) a cameo on the show. Someone has a life-threatening thing that happens and we see the firm gather together and support that character," said Macht.

 

Macht arrived in the country last Saturday to help push a humanitarian effort aiding Typhoon Yolanda victims. 

 

During his visit to Ormoc, Leyte, the van he was on blew out a tire on the way to a sugarcane field.,

The actor has previously starred in films such as 'The Spirit', 'A Love Song for Bobby Long', and 'The Good Shepherd'.   — ELR, GMA News