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Patrick Dempsey

Acting

Born January 13, 1966 · Lewiston, Maine, USA

Also known as Patrick Galen Dempsey

Biography

Patrick Galen Dempsey (born January 13, 1966) is an American actor and race car driver. He is best known for his role as neurosurgeon Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd in Grey's Anatomy. He had early success as an actor, starring in a number of films in the 1980s, including Can't Buy Me Love (1987) and Loverboy (1989). In the 1990s, he mostly appeared in smaller roles in film, such as Outbreak (1995) and television. Dempsey was also in Scream 3 (2000) where he played the role of Detective Mark Kincaid. He was successful in landing a lead role in Sweet Home Alabama (2002), a surprise box office hit. He has since starred in other films, including Brother Bear 2 (2006), Enchanted (2007), Made of Honor (2008), Valentine's Day (2010), Flypaper (2011), Freedom Writers (2007), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), and Bridget Jones's Baby (2016). Dempsey, 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.

Awards & recognition

  • European Film Award – People's Choice AwardBest European Film · 2017 · nominated

Filmography50+ titles

Dexter: Original Sin

2024as Aaron Spencer

The Art of Racing in the Rain

2019Producer

Grey's Anatomy

2005as Derek Shepherd

Freedom Writers

2007as Scott Casey

The Practice

1997as Dr. Paul Stewart

Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman

2015as Self

Top Gear

2002as Self

The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair

2018as Harry Quebert

Private Practice

2007as Dr. Derek Shepherd

Memory of a Killer

2026as Angelo Doyle

Family Guy

1999as (voice)

Devils

2020as Dominic Morgan

The Emperor's Club

2002as Older Louis Masoudi

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

1989as The Plant

Will & Grace

1998as Matthew

Can't Buy Me Love

1987as Ronald Miller

Enchanted

2007as Robert Philip

Iron Jawed Angels

2004as Ben Weissman

Ava's Magical Adventure

1998as Jeffrey

Jeremiah

1998as Jeremiah

Disenchanted

2022as Robert Philip

SurrealEstate

2021as Tom Quincy

Boys of Bonneville

2011as Narrator (voice)

Brother Bear 2

2006as Kenai (voice)

With Honors

1994as Everett Calloway

Outbreak

1995as Jimbo Scott

Thanksgiving

2023as Sheriff Eric Newlon

Made of Honor

2008as Tom

Ferrari

2023as Piero Taruffi

Bridget Jones's Baby

2016as Jack

Flypaper

2011as Tripp

Sweet Home Alabama

2002as Andrew Hennings

The Daily Show

1996as Self

Heaven Help Us

1985as Corbet

Mobsters

1991as Meyer Lansky

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

2011as Dylan

Loverboy

1989as Randy Bodek

Scream 3

2000as Mark Kincaid

The Right to Remain Silent

1996as Tom Harris

The Stuff

1985as Underground Stuff Buyer (uncredited)

Valentine's Day

2010as Dr. Harrison Copeland

Lucky 7

2003as Peter Connor

Blonde

as Cass

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014as Self - Guest

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

2003as Self

Some Girls

1988as Michael

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

1988as Self - Guest

Alumination

2021as Self

Me and Will

1999as Fast Eddie

The Jonathan Ross Show

2011as Self