Tony Gates
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| Tony Gates | |
|---|---|
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| First appearance | 2005 |
| Information | |
| Nickname(s) | Gates ( ER Staff) |
| Gender | male |
| Occupation | ED intern |
| Children | none but Sara |
| Portrayed by | John Stamos |
Tony Gates is a fictional character on the television series ER. He is portrayed by John Stamos.
Contents |
[edit] Paramedic appearances
Tony Gates was introduced as a paramedic during Season 12 (as a recurring character). In Gates' first appearance in the series, he was fired while trying to assist a young kidnapping victim. Gates transported the girl to County General following the arrest of her kidnapper. While assisting in the treatment of the girl, Gates met Dr. Neela Rasgotra. In the beginning, Neela seems irritated by Gates, but the two soon developed a friendship. Gates later revealed to Neela that he too is a medical student who is spending time with the paramedics until he graduates. In the episode, "Two Ships," when two airplanes collided and crashed in downtown Chicago, Gates and Neela again worked together, this time out in the field. Gates was injured when a burning building (which he had run into to save a woman) exploded. Neela was forced to perform surgery on him in the field. Gates eventually recovered.
[edit] Return
John Stamos was approached to play the main character on ER after Noah Wyle quit, but his contract with ABC show Jake in Progress stopped him from joining the show as a permanent cast member. That is why Stamos' character was only seen in a few episodes in season 12.
After the cancellation of Jake In Progress, Stamos was able to join the series as a regular cast member. Season 13 is his first as a regular character.
[edit] Hospital Life
Gates returned to the series during season 13 as an intern at County. His strong willed and often rebellious attitude led him to a few confrontations with attending Greg Pratt who on many occasions called him a "cowboy"; This an ironic counterpoint to Pratt's earlier difficulties with Luka Kovač and John Carter. Tony reunited with Neela and encountered feelings. The two bickered with one another but eventually had a fling. This began to upset Ray Barnett, who also had feelings for Neela but could never quite face up to them.
It was revealed that Tony had a girlfriend named Meg who was using her deceased husband's life insurance to get him through medical school. She also had a daughter named Sarah who loved Tony more as a best friend than father figure. Tony and Meg's relationship was revealed at first being casual friends through Meg's husband who was friends Tony. After the husband's death, Tony helped Meg and her daughter and two soon just got together. Meg clearly had big hopes for Tony to provide more for his family. Tony didn't mention his domestic status at the hospital and it was unknown even to Neela.
Tony was caught in the act with Neela when they spent a Thanksgiving together at his and Meg's place. Jealously and fury were unleashed as Meg tried to get back at Tony and Neela. Ultimately, Tony left Meg for Neela but still managed to stay in Sarah's life.
In "Murmurs of the Heart", Tony got a call from Sarah saying her mother was unconscious. Despite everyone's best efforts, Meg eventually died from an intentional overdose of medication, leaving Tony flooded with guilt and holding Sarah by his side. The last thing Meg said to Tony before she lost consciousness was that Sarah is his biological daughter.
[edit] Trivia
- Gates is a Gulf War veteran, serving as a medic with Meg's late husband.
- Gates is also dyslexic.
| ER | |
|---|---|
| Official NBC website | Quotes | |
| Current characters |
Ray Barnett | Tony Gates | Abby Lockhart | Archie Morris | Luka Kovač | Gregory Pratt | Neela Rasgotra | Samantha Taggart |
| Former characters |
Peter Benton | Jeanie Boulet | John Carter | Deb Chen | Elizabeth Corday | Anna Del Amico | Cleo Finch | Michael Gallant | Mark Greene | Carol Hathaway | Lucy Knight | Susan Lewis | Dave Malucci | Robert Romano | Doug Ross | Kerry Weaver |
| Episodes | List of ER episodes | Pilot |
| Other reading | Notable guest stars |
