Before 'Mid-Century Modern': Revisit Nathan Lee Graham's iconic roles
| 03/28/25
simbernardo
Nathan Lee Graham, a true icon!
Nathan Lee Graham, Nathan Lane, and Matt Bomer on Mid-Century Modern.
Disney/Chris Haston
Nathan Lee Graham delivers a fabulous, wise, and hilarious performance as Arthur on Hulu's new gay sitcom Mid-Century Modern from creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan (Will & Grace), director James Burrows (Cheers), and executive producer Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story).
Besides having a pitch-perfect dynamic with Mid-Century Modern costars Nathan Lane (Bunny) and Matt Bomer (Jerry), Graham also develops a deep bond with the late, great Linda Lavin (Sybil) in this wonderfully queer sitcom.
If you think you aren't familiar with Graham's past on-screen credits, here's a spoiler alert: You probably are, actually! The actor's career spans over two decades and includes some incredibly popular films and TV shows with huge Hollywood stars.
As you fall in love with Arthur on Mid-Century Modern and are amazed by Graham's performance, we only have one "She bring it to you every ball! Why y'all gagging so?"
'Zoolander' (2001)
Nathan Lee Graham and Will Ferrell in Zoolander.
Paramount Pictures
Todd, from the Zoolander movies, is one of the most well-recognized characters in Graham's career. A lot of the humor in the Zoolander universe comes from facial expressions and dramatic line deliveries, and Graham fits right into that fierce world of fashion while appearing alongside Will Ferrell as the eccentric Jacobim Mugatu.
'Sweet Home Alabama' (2002)
Nathan Lee Graham, Reese Witherspoon, Rhona Mitra in Sweet Home Alabama.
Touchstone Pictures
It's impossible to miss Frederick Montana, played by Graham in 2002's Sweet Home Alabama, even though this iconic rom-com has a stacked cast of actors like Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, Jean Smart, Melanie Lynskey, Ethan Embry, Josh Lucas, and Candice Bergen, just to name a few.
'Trophy Kids' (2011)
Nathan Lee Graham and Ryan Eggold in Trophy Kids.
YaSu Media
2011's Trophy Kids was one of the first films to comment on the perceived notion that millennials have grown being unnecessarily rewarded for too many things as they grow up as kids and teenagers.
With a cast that includes Ryan Eggold, David Gallagher, David Thornton, Tania Raymonde, Tibor Feldman, and Tahyna Tozzi — among others — the film showcases Graham as a standout character named Barcelona.
'Zoolander 2' (2016)
Will Ferrell and Nathan Lee Graham in Zoolander 2.
Paramount Pictures
Both Graham and Ferrell returned for the 2016 sequel Zoolander 2, reprising their respective roles as Todd and Jacobim Mugatu. Just like in the first film, these two are a phenomenal pair that has viewers laughing before they even say anything.
'LA to Vegas' (2018)
Nathan Lee Graham on LA to Vegas.
Fox
Fox's LA to Vegas only aired for one season in 2018, but it had an impressive cast of actors like Kim Matula, Dylan McDermott, Amy Landecker, Ed Weeks, Olivia Macklin, and Peter Stormare, among others.
On the show, Graham played a sassy flight attendant named Bernard Jasser.
'Theater Camp' (2023)
Nathan Lee Graham in Theater Camp.
Searchlight Pictures
Theater Camp, the hilarious 2023 mockumentary film starring Ben Platt and Molly Gordon, features Graham in the role of Clive DeWitt: a no-nonsense dance instructor at a camp for kids are passionate about musical theater.
