Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Galen Dempsey (born January 13, 1966)[1] is an American actor and racing driver. He is best known for his role as neurosurgeon Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd in the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2015. He is also known for his leading man romantic films roles, including in Enchanted (2007). Dempsey has received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, and was named as People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2023.[2]
Patrick Dempsey | |
|---|---|
Dempsey in 2016 | |
| Born | Patrick Galen Dempsey January 13, 1966 Lewiston, Maine, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouses | Rocky Parker (m. 1987; div. 1994) Jillian Fink (m. 1999) |
| Children | 3 |
| United SportsCar Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2014 |
| Current team | Dempsey Racing |
| Car number | 27 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Best finish | 18th in 2014 |
| Finished last season | 18th |
| Previous series | |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Years | |
| Teams |
|
| Best finish | 22nd (2nd in class)(2015) |
Dempsey started his career acting in films such as Can't Buy Me Love (1987) and Loverboy (1989). He has since starred in several romantic comedy films such as Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Made of Honor (2008), Valentine's Day (2010), and Bridget Jones's Baby (2016). Dempsey has also taken dramatic roles in Outbreak (1995), Scream 3 (2000), Freedom Writers (2007), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), and Ferrari (2023). He starred in and produced Flypaper (2011), and The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019).
Patrick, who maintains a sports car and vintage car collection, also enjoys auto racing in his spare time. He has competed in pro-am events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car race, and Ensenada SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. Prior to the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans, Dempsey declared that he would "walk away" from acting if he could and dedicate himself full-time to motorsports.[3]
Early life edit
Dempsey was born in Lewiston, Maine,[1] and grew up in the nearby towns of Turner and Buckfield. He has two older sisters[4] His mother, Amanda (née Casson),[5][6] was a school secretary, and his father, William, was an insurance salesman.[1][7][8]
He attended Leavitt Area High School, Buckfield High School and St. Dominic Regional High School, and after moving to Houston attended Willowridge High School.[4]
In his youth, Dempsey participated in juggling competitions. In 1981, he achieved second place at the International Jugglers' Association Championship in the Juniors category, just behind Anthony Gatto, who is considered to be the best technical juggler of all time.[9]
Dempsey was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 12. He told Barbara Walters on her 2008 Oscar special that he thinks dyslexia made him what he is today. "It's given me a perspective of — you have to keep working," Dempsey told Walters. "I have never given up."[10]
Acting career edit
1984–1989: Early roles and breakthrough edit
An invitation to audition for a role in the stage production of Torch Song Trilogy led to Patrick Dempsey's discovery as an actor. His audition was successful and he spent the following four months touring with the company in Philadelphia. He followed this with another tour, Brighton Beach Memoirs, in the lead role, which was directed by Gene Saks. Dempsey has also made notable appearances in the stage productions of On Golden Pond, with the Maine Acting Company, and as Timmy (the Martin Sheen role) in a 1990 off-Broadway revival of The Subject Was Roses co-starring with John Mahoney and Dana Ivey at the Roundabout Theatre in New York.
Dempsey's first major feature film role was at age 21 with Beverly D'Angelo in the film In The Mood, the actual World War II story about Ellsworth Wisecarver whose relationships with older married women created a national uproar. He then co-starred in the third installment of the comedy classic Meatballs III: Summer Job, alongside Sally Kellerman in 1987. This was followed by the teen comedy Can't Buy Me Love in 1987 with actress Amanda Peterson and Some Girls with Jennifer Connelly in 1988. In 1989, Dempsey had the lead role in the films Loverboy with actress Kirstie Alley and Happy Together with actress Helen Slater.[11]
1990–2009: Established actor edit
Dempsey made several featured appearances in television in the 1990s; he was cast several times in pilots that were not picked up for a full season, including lead roles in the TV versions of the films The Player and About A Boy. He received positive reviews,[12] however, as he portrayed real-life mob boss, Meyer Lansky in 1991 when Mobsters was put on the screen. His first major television role was a three-episode stint as Will Truman's closeted sportscaster boyfriend on Will & Grace. He appeared in four episodes of Once & Again as Aaron Brooks, the schizophrenic brother of Lily (Sela Ward). Dempsey received an Emmy[13] nomination in 2001 as Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the role of Aaron. In 1993, he played a young John F. Kennedy in the two-part TV mini-series JFK: Reckless Youth. In 2000, he played Detective Kincaid in Scream 3.[11]
In 2000 he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role in the ABC family drama series Once and Again. He had a guest starring role as Matthew in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace from 2000 to 2001. Dempsey had a high-profile role as the fiancé of Reese Witherspoon's character in Sweet Home Alabama (2002). In 2004, he co-starred in the highly acclaimed HBO production Iron Jawed Angels, opposite Hilary Swank and Anjelica Huston. He also appeared as special guest star in The Practice for its three-episode finale season (8x13-8x15).
In 2007, Dempsey starred in the Disney film Enchanted, and the Paramount Pictures film Freedom Writers, where he reunited with his Iron Jawed Angels co-star Hilary Swank. He also voiced the character Kenai in Brother Bear sequel Brother Bear 2, replacing Joaquin Phoenix. Dempsey's most recent roles include the 2008 film Made of Honor as Tom, and the 2010 romantic comedy Valentine's Day; the latter film follows five interconnecting stories about Los Angelinos anticipating (or in some cases dreading) the holiday of love.[14] Universal Pictures acquired the rights to the prize-winning novel The Art of Racing in the Rain in July 2009, for Dempsey to star in.[15] The film instead starred Milo Ventimiglia.[16] He starred as Dylan Gould in Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011).[17][18]
2005–2015: Stardom with Grey's Anatomy edit
Dempsey has received significant public attention for his role as Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd in the medical drama Grey's Anatomy opposite Ellen Pompeo. Before landing the role, Dempsey auditioned for the role of Dr. Chase on another medical show, House. He also appeared in two episodes of the later Grey's spinoff Private Practice, playing the same character of Dr. Shepherd.[11] The relationship his character had with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) on screen has received a lot of praise and positive reactions.
In January 2014, he signed a two-year contract to remain on Grey's Anatomy, then in its tenth season, that would ensure his participation for potential 11th and 12th seasons.[19][20][21] Dempsey was nominated for Best Actor – Television Series Drama at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards for the role. His success on the show has led to his becoming a spokesman for Mazda and State Farm Insurance.[22][23] BuddyTV ranked him #1 on its list of "TV's Sexiest Men of 2011."[24] In November 2020, Dempsey appeared as Derek Shepherd at the start of the series' 17th season for the first time since the character had died in April 2015.[25]
2016–present edit
Following his departure from Grey's Anatomy, Dempsey was working on two small-screen projects: a drama The Limit for SundanceTV and a travelogue spy thriller called Fodors. He said:
I would love to do something else. I'm going to take the rest of the year off to develop. I would like to be a producer. I would commit to a show that is 10 to 12 episodes. But 24 again, I don't know if I would do that. It's a very hard life. It's financially rewarding but there comes a point where how much is enough, really? I'm focusing now on developing and racing and being a father to my children.[26]
In 2016, Dempsey starred in the Universal Pictures film Bridget Jones's Baby with Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth,[27] and in 2018 he appeared on Epix television miniseries The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.[28] In 2017 he participated in the short film Red Nose Day Actually, a sequel to the 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually. Dempsey played the role of the husband of Laura Linney's character Sarah. In 2018 he starred in the miniseries The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair. Starting from 2020 he has portrayed Harry Morgan in the Sky Atlantic financial thriller series Devils. On February 4, 2020, Dempsey signed on to star as the lead of a CBS political drama pilot Ways & Means, where he would portray a Congressional leader.[29] Initially planned to be considered for the 2020-21 televisions season, the pilot was rolled into consideration for the following season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CBS ultimately passed on the finished pilot in May 2021.[30] In January 2021, it was announced that Dempsey would reprise his role in the Enchanted sequel, Disenchanted, which began production in spring of that year.[31] The film was released on Disney+ in late 2022.[32] In 2023 he portrayed Piero Taruffi in the biographical sports drama Ferrari directed by Michael Mann.
Auto racing edit
In 2014, Dempsey told Reuters in the Hockenheimring support paddock at the German Grand Prix that motor racing was not just a hobby, and had become as much a part of who he is as acting. He said, "It's all-consuming in many ways. I couldn't imagine not racing right now. It really keeps me motivated. It's all I think about on a daily basis."[33]
Dempsey, who maintains an extensive sports and vintage car collection, has enjoyed auto racing in his spare time for several years. Before the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013, he said that he would like to compete full-time, telling Eurosport:
I would like to make that [motorsports] a complete priority and just focus on this full-time. If I could just walk away from acting, I think I could do that very easily, and just focus on the driving, I would love that more than anything else.[34]
He has competed in prestigious pro-am events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car race, and Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. He was a co-owner of the Vision Racing IndyCar Series team and current owner of Dempsey Racing, which is presently racing two Porsche 911 GT America's in the Tudor United Sports Car Series. He participated in this series as often as his schedule allowed, although insurance restrictions kept him from driving competitively while also filming a motion picture. In 2009, he raced a Team Seattle Advanced Engineering Ferrari F430 GT in the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans's GT2 class and finished ninth in class.[35]
Dempsey announced he would race the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona along with other races throughout the season in a Mazda RX-8.[36] Dempsey finished in third place in the GT Class of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. In 2012, Dempsey competed in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge behind the wheel of an Aston Martin Racing-Multimatic Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT4, which, after five successful racing seasons in Europe, was to make its debut on American tracks. He formed the Dempsey Racing team to compete in the American Le Mans Series. The team fielded a full-time Oreca FLM09 in the Prototype Challenge class as well as a Lola B12/80 coupe in the Prototype 2 class from Laguna Seca onward.[citation needed]
After debuting at the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans, Dempsey returned to France four years later and competed in a Porsche 997 GT3 RSR at the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Dempsey and his co-drivers finished 29th overall and fourth in-class.[citation needed] In 2015, Dempsey focused on participating in the FIA World Endurance Championship with his own Dempsey Racing-Proton team in the GTE-Am class in a Porsche 997 GT3 RSR, teamed with Patrick Long[37] and Marco Seefried. He told Porsche Newsroom: "Not much changes in my TV work, but everything changes constantly in motor racing – every lap, every bend and every moment."[37]
Racing record edit
Career summary edit
| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Panoz Racing Series (GT class) | TBA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9th |
| 2006 | Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race (Pro class) | TBA | 1 | 0 | TBA | TBA | 1 | N/A | 2nd |
| 2007 | Rolex Sports Car Series (GT class) | Hyper Sport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 82nd |
| 2008 | Rolex Sports Car Series (GT class) | Hyper Sport | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 30th |
| 2009 | Rolex Sports Car Series (GT class) | Dempsey Racing | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 20th |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans (GT2 class) | Advanced Engineering Team Seattle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 9th | |
| 2010 | Rolex Sports Car Series (GT class) | Dempsey Racing | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 29th |
| Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (ST class) | Freedom Autosport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 90th | |
| 2011 | Rolex Sports Car Series (GT class) | Dempsey Racing | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 226 | 11th |
| 2012 | Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (GS class) | Multimatic Motorsports | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC |
| Rolex Sports Car Series (GT class) | Dempsey Racing | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 138 | 24th | |
| American Le Mans Series (LMP2 class) | Dempsey Racing | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 53 | 3rd | |
| Maserati Trofeo World Series | TBA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
| 2013 | American Le Mans Series (GTC class) | Dempsey Racing/Del Piero | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 87 | 7th |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans (GTE Am class) | Dempsey Del Piero-Proton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 4th | |
| 2014 | United SportsCar Championship (GTD class) | Dempsey Racing | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 134 | 18th |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans (GTE Am class) | Dempsey Racing-Proton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 5th | |
| Porsche Supercup | Porsche AG | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0‡ | NC‡ | |
| 2015 | FIA World Endurance Championship (GTE Am class) | Dempsey Racing-Proton | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 116 | 6th |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans (GTE Am class) | Dempsey Racing-Proton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | N/A | 2nd | |
| Porsche Supercup | Porsche AG | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0‡ | NC‡ | |
| United SportsCar Championship (GTD class) | Wright Motorsports | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 33rd |
‡ Not eligible for points.
24 Hours of Le Mans results edit
| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Advanced Engineering Team Seattle | Don Kitch Jr. Joe Foster | Ferrari F430 GT2 | GT2 | 301 | 30th | 9th |
| 2013 | Dempsey Del Piero-Proton | Joe Foster Patrick Long | Porsche 997 GT3-RSR | GTE Am | 305 | 28th | 4th |
| 2014 | Dempsey Racing-Proton | Joe Foster Patrick Long | Porsche 911 RSR | GTE Am | 329 | 24th | 5th |
| 2015 | Dempsey-Proton Racing | Patrick Long Marco Seefried | Porsche 911 RSR | GTE Am | 330 | 22nd | 2nd |
Complete Rolex Sports Car Series results edit
(key) (Results are overall/class)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Hyper Sport | GT | Mazda RX-8 GT | Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor | DAY | MEX | HOM | VIR | LGA | LIM | WGL | MDO | DAY | IOW | BAR | MON | MIL 27/10 | 82nd | 21 |
| 2008 | Hyper Sport | GT | Mazda RX-8 GT | Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor | DAY 39/24 | HOM 27/14 | MEX | VIR | LGA | LIM | WGL 36/19 | MDO 24/12 | DAY 25/11 | BAR 28/14 | MON 26/9 | NJ 33/19 | MIL 26/14 | 30th | 143 |
| 2009 | Dempsey Racing | GT | Mazda RX-8 GT | Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor | DAY 35/22 | VIR | NJ 15/7 | LGA 22/10 | WGL 21/7 | MDO 18/6 | DAY 26/11 | BAR | WGL | MON | MIL | HOM 28/11 | 20th | 143 | |
| 2010 | Dempsey Racing | GT | Mazda RX-8 GT | Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor | DAY 13/6 | HOM 21/7 | BAR 21/10 | VIR 23/12 | LIM | WGL | MDO | DAY | NJ | WGL | MON | MIL | 29th | 89 | |
| 2011 | Dempsey Racing | GT | Mazda RX-8 GT | Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor | DAY 14/3 | HOM 31/18† | BAR 18/8 | VIR 21/13 | LIM 20/11 | WGL 15/9 | ELK | LGA 23/13 | NJ 16/9 | WGL 22/11 | MON 21/11 | MDO 21/11 | 11th | 226 | |
| 2012 | Dempsey Racing | GT | Mazda RX-8 GT | Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor | DAY 21/10 | BAR 21/13 | HOM 21/14† | NJ | BEL 25/16 | MDO 18/10 | ELK 17/11 | WGL 26/16 | IMS 31/21 | WGL | MON | LGA 23/13 | LIM | 24th | 138 |
† Did not complete sufficient laps in order to score points.
Complete Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge results edit
(key) (Results are overall/class)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Tyres | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Freedom Autosport | ST | Mazdaspeed3 | C | DAY 47/22 | HOM | BAR | VIR | LIM | WGL | MDO | NJ | TRO | MIL | 90th | 9 |
| 2012 | Multimatic Motorsports | GS | Aston Martin Vantage | C | DAY 63/32 | BAR 72/32 | HOM | NJ | MDO | ELK | WGL | IMS | LGA | LIM | NC‡ | 0‡ |
‡ As Dempsey was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
Complete Maserati Trofeo World Series results edit
(key)
| Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | JAR 1 | JAR 2 | ALG 1 | ALG 2 | ALG 3 | IMO 1 | IMO 2 | IMO 3 | LEC 1 | LEC 2 | SON 1 6 | SON 2 | SON 3 Ret | SHA 1 | SHA 2 | NC‡ | 0‡ |
‡ As Dempsey was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
Complete American Le Mans Series results edit
(key) (Results are overall/class)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Dempsey Racing | LMP2 | Lola B12/87 | Judd-BMW HK 3.6 L V8 | M | SEB | LBH | LGA 30/4 | LIM 7/3 | MOS | MDO 9/4 | ELK 9/2 | BAL | VIR | ATL Ret | 3rd | 53 |
| 2013 | Dempsey Racing/Del Piero | GTC | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup | Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6 | Y | SEB 29/6 | LBH 26/6 | LGA 21/2 | LIM 30/7 | MOS 25/4 | ELK 27/4 | BAL 16/4 | AUS 23/3 | VIR 23/6 | ATL 23/2† | 7th | 87 |
† Did not complete sufficient laps in order to score points.
Complete United SportsCar Championship results edit
(key) (Results are overall/class)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Dempsey Racing | GTD | Porsche 911 GT America | Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6 | DAY 50/24 | SEB 42/15 | LGA 27/20 | BEL | WGL 23/4† | MOS 27/11 | IMS 34/9 | ELK 40/13 | VIR 10/3 | AUS 41/14 | ATL 49/18† | 24th | 153 |
| 2015 | Wright Motorsports | GTD | Porsche 911 GT America | Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6 | DAY 13/3 | SEB | LGA | BEL | WGL | LIM | ELK | VIR | AUS | ATL | 33rd | 31 |
† Did not complete sufficient laps in order to score points.
* Season still in progress.
Complete Porsche Supercup results edit
(key)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Porsche AG | ESP | MON | AUT | GBR | GER 23 | HUN | BEL | ITA | USA | USA | NC‡ | 0‡ | |
| 2015 | Porsche AG | ESP | MON | AUT | GBR | HUN | BEL 29 | BEL 23 | ITA | ITA | USA | USA | NC‡ | 0‡ |
‡ As Dempsey was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results edit
Other ventures edit
Promotional work edit
He has been the face of L'Oreal and Versace and was featured in ads for Serengeti sunglasses. In November 2008, he launched an Avon fragrance named Unscripted. In June 2009, Women's Wear Daily reported the launch of a second Avon fragrance named Patrick Dempsey 2.[38] The fragrance was recognized as the "Men's Private Label/Direct Sell" for the 2010 FiFi Awards.[39][40] On September 29, 2012, Mexican cable company Cablemás, Megacable and Mexico city's Cablevisión launched an advertising campaign featuring Dempsey as the love interest of a domestic worker who comes across his profile on an online dating site.[41]
Starting in 2013, Patrick Dempsey became the face of Silhouette, promoting eyewear fashion from Austria.[42] From January 2017 Dempsey appears for Vodafone Italy and he appears in some Italian spots about it.[43] In 2018, Bleusalt, a Malibu-based fashion brand launched a clothing line designed by the actor.[44][45]
Business interests edit
In January 2013, Dempsey announced that his company (Global Baristas) had secured the winning bid to purchase Seattle-based Tully's Coffee, which had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October. Dempsey's bid of $9.15M was enough to secure Tully's over the bids of six others, including Starbucks. Dempsey's company will control 47 Tully's locations in the Seattle area, but not the online business, which had been purchased by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in 2009.[46]
Following a legal dispute with investor group Global Baristas, Dempsey left the group, in effect officially leaving his managerial positions with Tully's. Dempsey filed a lawsuit on behalf of Global Baristas, claiming Michael Avenatti borrowed $2 million against Tully's assets without informing Dempsey, rather than fully financing the coffee chain as was promised, calling the 15 percent interest rate on the loan "exorbitant" and sued for Avenatti to fund Tully's operations and meet its working capital needs, as well as for any damages owed the company. Soon after, Dempsey's lawyer's office issued a statement saying the partnership was dissolved and that Dempsey wished the lawyer and the company "all the best". Avenatti has stated the dispute was a "misunderstanding" and will continue operating with other investors and new management.[47][48]
Philanthropy edit
In 1997, Dempsey's mother, Amanda, was diagnosed with cancer which subsequently relapsed five times. On March 24, 2014, she died in Lewiston, Maine, aged 79.[49] In response to his mother's bouts with cancer, Dempsey helped start the Patrick Dempsey Center at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. In October 2009, when Dempsey introduced the first Dempsey Challenge, registration was closed after reaching the goal of 3,500 cyclists, runners and walkers. The event raised more than $1 million for the cancer center. His mother was in the crowd as Dempsey finished his 50-mile (80 km) ride.[50] The Challenge has since become an annual October event presented by Amgen in the Lewiston–Auburn area.[51] On May 28, 2017, Dempsey received an honorary doctorate from Bates College in his hometown, Lewiston, Maine, for his philanthropy in the town and funding of "the Dempsey Center — just blocks from the Bates campus."[52]
Dempsey was awarded an honorary doctorate by Bowdoin College in 2013 for his philanthropic work.[53] His Grey's Anatomy character Derek Shepherd had been written as a Bowdoin graduate after an alumnus led a petition signed by over 450 students to "adopt" the character as an alumnus.[54]
Personal life edit
Dempsey was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 12. As a result, it is necessary for him to memorize all his lines to perform, even for auditions where he is unlikely to get the part.[55][56]
Entertainment Weekly put Dempsey's hair on its end-of-the-decade "best-of" list, saying, "What made Grey's Anatomy a mega-medi-hit? It could have something to do with creator Shonda Rhimes' scalpel-sharp writing… or McDreamy's impossibly luxurious man hair. Just saying."[57] In 2005, People magazine ranked him second in its annual list of "Sexiest Men Alive"[58] and again in 2006.[59]
Dempsey has been married twice. On August 24, 1987,[1] he married his manager,[60] actress and acting coach, Rochelle "Rocky" Parker, when he was 21 and she 48.[61] She appeared with Dempsey in the film In the Mood. While it has been reported that Dempsey married his best friend's mother, he has said that he became best friends with Parker's son only after he became romantically involved with Parker. The couple divorced on April 26, 1994. She died in 2014.[62]
On July 31, 1999, Dempsey married Jillian Fink.[60] The couple have three children.[60][63][4][62] In January 2015, Fink filed for divorce,[64] but the couple reconciled later in the year.[65] They called off their divorce on November 12, 2016.[66]
Dempsey is a supporter of Scottish football club Rangers F.C. because of his Scottish connection through his step-grandfather.[67]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Stuff | Underground Stuff Buyer #2 | Uncredited |
| Heaven Help Us | Corbet | ||
| 1986 | A Fighting Choice | Kellin Taylor | |
| Meatballs III: Summer Job | Rudy Gerner | ||
| 1987 | Can't Buy Me Love | Ronald Miller | |
| In the Mood | Ellsworth 'Sonny' Wisecarver | ||
| 1988 | Some Girls | Michael | |
| In a Shallow Grave | Potter Daventry | ||
| 1989 | Loverboy | Randy Bodek | |
| Happy Together | Christopher Wooden | ||
| 1990 | Coupe de Ville | Robert 'Bobby' Libner | |
| 1991 | Mobsters | Meyer Lansky | |
| Run | Charlie Farrow | ||
| 1993 | Bank Robber | Billy | |
| Face the Music | Charlie Hunter | ||
| 1994 | With Honors | Everett Calloway | |
| Ava's Magical Adventure | Jeffrey | Also director | |
| 1995 | Outbreak | Jimbo Scott | |
| 1997 | Hugo Pool | Floyd Gaylen | |
| 1998 | Denial | Sam | |
| The Escape | Clayton | ||
| 2000 | Scream 3 | Det. Mark Kincaid | |
| 2002 | Sweet Home Alabama | Andrew Hennings | |
| The Emperor's Club | Older Louis Masoudi | ||
| 2003 | Lucky 7 | Peter Connor | |
| 2004 | Iron Jawed Angels | Ben Weissman | |
| 2006 | Brother Bear 2 | Kenai (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 2007 | Freedom Writers | Scott Casey | |
| Enchanted | Robert Philip | ||
| 2008 | Made of Honor | Tom Bailey | |
| 2010 | Valentine's Day | Harrison Copeland | |
| 2011 | Transformers: Dark of the Moon | Dylan Gould | |
| Flypaper | Tripp | Also producer | |
| 2013 | Ushi Must Marry | Himself | |
| 2016 | Bridget Jones's Baby | Jack Qwant | |
| 2019 | Hurley | Himself | Also producer |
| The Art of Racing in the Rain | None | Producer | |
| 2022 | Disenchanted | Robert Philip | |
| 2023 | Ferrari | Piero Taruffi | |
| Thanksgiving | Sheriff Eric Newlon |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Fast Times | Mike Damone | 7 episodes |
| A Fighting Choice | Kellin Taylor | Television film | |
| 1989 | The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! | The Plant (voice) | Episode: "Super Plant/The Pied Koopa", also production manager |
| 1993 | JFK: Reckless Youth | John F. Kennedy | Miniseries |
| 1996 | The Right to Remain Silent | Tom Harris | Film |
| A Season in Purgatory | Harrison Burns | Miniseries | |
| 1997 | 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | Pierre Arronax | Miniseries |
| 1998 | Jeremiah | Jeremiah | Film |
| Crime and Punishment | Raskolnikov | Film | |
| 2000–2001 | Will & Grace | Matthew | 3 episodes |
| 2000; 2002 | Once and Again | Aaron Brooks | 4 episodes |
| 2001 | Blonde | Cass Bulut | Film |
| 2003 | Lucky 7 | Peter Connor | Film |
| Karen Sisco | Carl Wilkens | Episode: Blown Away | |
| 2004 | The Practice | Dr. Paul Stewart | 3 episodes |
| 2005–2015, 2020–2021 | Grey's Anatomy | Dr. Derek Shepherd | Main role (seasons 1–11) Recurring (season 17) |
| 2009, 2012 | Private Practice | Dr. Derek Shepherd | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Phineas and Ferb | Paolo Vanderbeek | Episode: Live and Let Drive |
| 2017 | Red Nose Day Actually | Sarah's Husband | Short film |
| 2018 | The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair | Harry Quebert | Miniseries |
| 2020–present | Devils | Dominic Morgan | Main role |
| TBD | Ways & Means | TBD | Main role, also executive producer |
Awards and nominations edit
- In 2022 Dempsey was honored with a Disney Legend Award
- In 2023 Dempsey was named as People's Sexiest Man Alive
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Patrick Dempsey profile at". FilmReference.com. from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ "Patrick Dempsey named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine". The Associated Press. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ Le Mans 24 Hours 2013 "24 Minutes" Episode 2, Eurosport HD, declared at approximately 16:30
- ^ a b c . The Dempsey Challenge. Archived from the original on August 4, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
- ^ "Amanda Dempsey dies". DailyEntertainmentNews.com. March 26, 2014. from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
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- ^ Shoard, Catherine (November 25, 2007). "Patrick Dempsey: the Doctor is in". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK.[dead link]
- ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (October 2, 1987). "New Faces: Patrick Dempsey, 2 Films, 2 Looks". The New York Times.[permanent dead link]
- ^ 1981 Juniors Championship of the International Jugglers' Association (IJA) website December 13, 2017, at the Wayback Machine; accessed March 6, 2015.
- ^ . Today.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ a b c Patrick Dempsey at IMDb
- ^ Caryn James (July 26, 1991). "MOVIE REVIEW Mobsters (1991)". The New York Times.
- ^ Patrick Dempsey Emmy Winner
- ^ Matt Mitovich (July 8, 2009). . TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (July 15, 2009), "Dempsey shifts gears for Universal", Variety
- ^ Boucher, Geoff (July 25, 2011), "Dempsey hopes to leave 'McDreamy' in rearview", Chicago Tribune
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- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (April 23, 2015). "'Grey's Anatomy': Patrick Dempsey Officially Leaving After 11 Seasons". Variety. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (April 24, 2015). "Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey on tonight's shocking twist -- exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
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- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 21, 2020). "'Grey's Anatomy' Shocker: Krista Vernoff, Ellen Pompeo & Patrick Dempsey On Season 17 Premiere's Dream Reunion & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (April 23, 2015). "What's next for Patrick Dempsey?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ Jaafar, Ali (September 9, 2015). "Patrick Dempsey Joining 'Bridget Jones's Baby' For Working Title". deadline.com. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- ^ Bacle, Ariana (August 15, 2017). "Patrick Dempsey Sets TV Return With 'The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair' Adaptation". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 4, 2020). "Patrick Dempsey To Star In CBS Political Drama Pilot 'Ways & Means' From Ed Redlich, Mike Murphy & PatMa". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 14, 2021). "CBS Pilots Update: 'Ways & Means', Sarah Cooper/Cindy Chupack & 'Welcome To Georgia' Not Moving Forward". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Patrick Dempsey returning alongside Amy Adams for 'Enchanted' sequel, 'Disenchanted'". Good Morning America. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 10, 2020). "'Disenchanted': 'Enchanted' Sequel With Amy Adams Going To Disney+". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ "Patrick Dempsey: Dr McDreamy the racer". gulfnews.com. Al Nisr Publishing LLC. July 19, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ "Patrick Dempsey". bellracing.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Leveridge, Adam (April 1, 2009). "Gigawave replaced by SAE at Le Mans". Autosport.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ Pettit, Vince (December 1, 2010). "Patrick Dempsey Returns to Track". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ a b "The team of the Hollywood star". newsroom.porsche.com. Porsche Newsroom. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
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- ^ Perez, Lexy (June 21, 2018). "Patrick Dempsey Launches Clothing Collection with Bleusalt". Prometheus Global Media LLC. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
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- ^ "Patrick Dempsey: Winning bid for coffee-shop chain 'just felt right'". CNN. January 5, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
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- ^ "Visionary educator Geoffrey Canada to deliver 2017 Commencement address, joining honorands Sen. Susan Collins, Wanda Corn, and Patrick Dempsey". April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
- ^ "'McDreamy' in Maine for Dempsey Challenge, Tips Cap to Bowdoin". Bowdoin College. October 2, 2010.
- ^ . The Bowdoin Orient. April 20, 2007. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016.
- ^ USA WEEKEND Magazine
- ^ Hitti, Miranda (March 2, 2006). "Patrick Dempsey Reveals His Dyslexia". Webmd.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ Geier, Thom, Jeff Jensen, Tina Jordan, Margaret Lyons, Adam Markovitz, Chris Nashawaty, Whitney Pastorek, Lynette Rice, Josh Rottenberg, Missy Schwartz, Michael Slezak, Dan Snierson, Tim Stack, Kate Stroup, Ken Tucker, Adam B. Vary, Simon Vozick-Levinson, and Kate Ward "100 Greatest Movies, TV Shows, and More: ... 69. Patrick Dempsey's hair" October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Entertainment Weekly, December 11, 2009 (1079-80):74-84; retrieved January 13, 2011.
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- ^ "Patrick Dempsey". TVGuide.com. from the original on January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
...in a case of life imitating art, the rising star married actress Rocky Parker when he was 21 and she was 48. (The union ended in divorce seven years later.)
- ^ a b "Patrick Dempsey Biography: Film Actor, Television Actor (1966–)". Biography.com (FYI/A&E Networks). Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ . People. September 20, 2006. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ^ Miller, Michael (January 23, 2015). "Patrick Dempsey's Wife Files for Divorce". Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ^ Lee, Esther (November 10, 2015). "Patrick Dempsey, Estranged Wife Jillian Dempsey Are "Trying to Be a Couple Again"". Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ Hautman, Nicholas (November 12, 2016). "Patrick Dempsey and Wife Jillian Officially Call Off Divorce". US Weekly. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ Parker, Rebecca (May 24, 2016). "Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey sports a Rangers strip at sons' football match in Los Angeles". Glasgow Live. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
External links edit
- Official website
- Patrick Dempsey at IMDb
- Patrick Dempsey at the Internet Broadway Database
- Patrick Dempsey at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Patrick Dempsey at Emmys.com
- Patrick Dempsey at 24 Hours of Le Mans (in French)
- Patrick Dempsey career summary at DriverDB.com