Board shorts, not ‘Suits’: Gabriel Macht on being Harvey Specter

MANILA, Philippines – Gabriel Macht couldn’t be more different from Harvey Specter, the fast-talking, rule-breaking lawyer he plays on the hit television show Suits.

Even the constant habit of wearing suits is not really his thing. “I like to go under the radar. I’m not as slick and being a hard ass – that’s not something I encourage. Normally, you see me in Birkenstocks and board shorts and a T-shirt or just jeans,” he noted. 

The low-key, mild-mannered actor took a break from playing the ruthless, frank lawyer to visit the Philippines this past weekend to raise awareness for Globe’s Project Wonderful.

The project with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is about rebuilding sari-sari stores, which will later host electronic reloading services as part of their business.

“What struck me is that there is rebuilding going on. The generosity of spirit of the Filipino people… Their smiles and their hopeful nature – I think is a real strength. I see that they are getting back on their feet and I think that is very inspiring,” Macht said. 

“I was touched by the kids. Their smiles, their innocence. The adults too – their warm nature. I was struck by seeing people smiling,” he added.

Grateful to have had this moment #projectwonderful #ormoc #kids #maganda pic.twitter.com/9C8as5cZQr

— Gabriel Macht (@GabrielMacht) March 9, 2014

Hand up, not handouts

Macht said he likes the idea of helping people by giving them a hand up instead of a handout.

“I think the approach is very inspiring, allowing small businesses to have the responsibility themselves to grow. They’re giving access to these small business owners – instead of just throwing money into the problem, they are pushing these people to work it themselves, that’s inspiring to me and I want to raise that awareness,” Macht said.

Macht said that he didn’t have too many expectations about coming to the Philippines, but heard a bit about it from co-star Patrick J. Adams (Mike Ross on Suits). He knew he would have to see it for himself at some point. 

“He [Adams] told me there’s huge fans of the show and that I gotta go there [Philippines] and I’ll have an amazing time. You’ll get so much love [he said]. And I have found that to be the case. I’m just so grateful that [there’s] this community that’s so enthusiastic about this show and this character.”

Softie

Macht is the type to help out people in need up front, making time to fly to the country to help out, but he says Harvey probably wouldn’t do the same. “Harvey, he steps up for people behind their back. That’s his thing. But for me, I don’t have that ego. I want to show that I do care. You find something to care about and you just keep on caring about it. “

Not that Harvey is a bad person. He just doesn’t like showing his soft side. But for Macht, there really is no problem with being a softie. “He’s [Harvey] a narcissist who owns his narcissism. I’m someone who would love to be alone, to relate to people who are here and their generosity of spirit.”

Harvey’s insecurities, however, taught Macht a thing or two about doing well in life. Macht notes how Harvey’s personality will never show self-doubt, unlike every other person on the planet. And Macht said that’s part of the reason why the slick, self-centered lawyer has the tendency to overcompensate all the time.

Macht says that the 3rd season will be something to look forward to as we will see the commitment-phobe Harvey try his hand at a real relationship with his on-again, off-again lover and law school classmate Dana ‘Scottie’ Scott (Abigail Spencer).

The recent story line where Harvey and Scottie found themselves rekindling their affair was a huge blow to fans of the Harvey and Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty) pairing. The two characters have repeatedly shown chemistry and there appeared to have been several hints in the past seasons that the two characters could be more than colleagues.

Macht shared that if Harvey and Donna do end up having a relationship in the series, that would be so awkward for him and Rafferty as the two are long-time close friends. 

But in the 3 seasons of the show that he has been playing Harvey, Macht said he has learned one important thing – and no, it’s not about how to get the girls fall all over him (he’s married to Jacinda Barett and they have two kids).

“I think what I’ve learned from him is that if you push through your insecurity, and your persist through your failure, you will succeed. I think that’s strong.”

And if in the future, Macht finds himself in a sticky spot with the law, he said he would love someone like Harvey to represent him. – Rappler.com

Suits returns to Philippine TV screens from its mid-season break on March 19, Wednesday, 9pm on Jack TV (SkyCable Channel 51, Global Destiny Channel 30, and Cable Link Channel 36).