Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Galen Dempsey is an American actor and racecar driver born on January 13, 1966. He is best known for portraying neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2015, returning in 2020 and 2021. He is also recognized for leading romantic film roles, such as in Enchanted. Over his career, Dempsey has received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, and was named People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2023.

Dempsey was born in Lewiston, Maine, and grew up in Turner and Buckfield with his two older sisters. His mother, Amanda, worked as a school secretary, and his father, William, was an insurance salesman. Dempsey attended Leavitt Area High School, Buckfield High School, and St. Dominic Regional High School. Diagnosed with dyslexia at age 12, he credited the condition with instilling a strong work ethic. In his youth, he was a competitive juggler, placing second in the Juniors category at the 1981 International Jugglers' Association Championship.

His acting career began at age 17 with an audition for the stage production Torch Song Trilogy, leading to a tour in Philadelphia and a subsequent lead role in Brighton Beach Memoirs. He later performed in stage productions of On Golden Pond and The Subject Was Roses. Dempsey made his major feature film debut in In the Mood, followed by early roles in Meatballs III: Summer Job, Can't Buy Me Love, Some Girls, Loverboy, and Happy Together. In the 1990s, he appeared in TV projects such as JFK: Reckless Youth, along with feature films like Outbreak and Scream 3.

Dempsey earned an Emmy nomination in 2001 for a guest role in Once & Again, and also appeared on Will & Grace and The Practice. His mainstream breakthrough came with Grey's Anatomy, where his performance as Dr. Shepherd brought him widespread fame and a Golden Globe nomination. During his time on the show, he starred in notable films including Sweet Home Alabama, Iron Jawed Angels, Freedom Writers, Enchanted, Made of Honor, Valentine's Day, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon, while also producing and starring in Flypaper.

After leaving Grey's Anatomy, Dempsey starred in Bridget Jones's Baby, the miniseries The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, and the financial thriller series Devils. He reprised his role in Disenchanted, produced and starred in The Art of Racing in the Rain, and appeared in Thanksgiving and Ferrari. He was later cast in Dexter: Original Sin and played Angelo Doyle in Memory of a Killer.

Beyond acting, Dempsey is an avid auto racer who maintains a collection of sports and vintage cars. He has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and the Baja 1000. Dempsey co-owned Vision Racing and formed Dempsey Racing to compete in endurance championships. His promotional ventures include campaigns for L'Oreal, Versace, Avon, Silhouette, and Vodafone Italy, alongside a clothing line with Bleusalt and purchasing Tully's Coffee through Global Baristas in 2013.