Michael Urie unveiled a fascinating anecdote from his pre-stardom days on the critically acclaimed series "Ugly Betty," revealing an unexpected profession from his past. The esteemed actor, celebrated for his portrayal of Marc St. James in the beloved dramedy, confessed to once serving as a medical marijuana tester—a position he stumbled upon through an unconventional job posting in the Village Voice magazine, roughly two decades prior.
Sharing his tale on Chelsea Handler's podcast "Dear Chelsea," Urie recounted how he and his roommate had submitted their applications together, treating the unusual opportunity with a touch of levity. While his roommate was rejected due to health concerns, Urie found himself embarking on an exhilarating, albeit "wild," journey. The testing process, he explained, was conducted as a double-blind study, meaning neither he nor the administrator knew the potency of the strains administered.
On some days, he was given a placebo, leaving him unaffected. But on others, he found himself soaring "higher than a kite," consumed by paranoia. He vividly remembered one incident where he was so intoxicated that he stumbled around the hospital room, convinced that the blind nature of the tests had been breached.
Despite these trials, the experiments also included computer-based cognitive tests, where he was tasked with swiftly identifying shapes and patterns. His performance on these tasks swung wildly, contingent on the strength of the marijuana strain he had consumed during each session.
Reflecting on his marijuana experiments, Urie admitted that the substance had even influenced his acting process. He confessed to rehearsing his lines under its influence, struggling to recall them in the moment but finding them effortlessly within reach once he sobered up.
