Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Galen Dempsey (born January 13, 1966) is an American actor and racing driver.

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.

Dempsey was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 12.

Dempsey started his career acting in films such as Can't Buy Me Love (1987) and Loverboy (1989).

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.

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.

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, 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).

In 1993, he played a young John F. Kennedy in the two-part TV mini-series JFK: Reckless Youth.

Dempsey has also taken dramatic roles in Outbreak (1995), Scream 3 (2000), Freedom Writers (2007), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), Thanksgiving (2023), and Ferrari (2023).

In 2000, he played Detective Kincaid in Scream 3.

Dempsey received an Emmy nomination in 2001 as Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the role of Aaron.

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 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).

Dempsey has received significant public attention for his role as Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd in the medical drama Grey's Anatomy opposite Ellen Pompeo.

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.

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."

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.

He starred in and produced Flypaper (2011), and The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019).

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.

Dempsey was born in Lewiston, Maine, and grew up in the nearby towns of Turner and Buckfield.

He has two older sisters.

His mother, Amanda (née Casson), was a school secretary, and his father, William, was an insurance salesman.

He attended Leavitt Area High School, Buckfield High School and St. Dominic Regional High School, and after moving to Houston attended Willowridge High School.

In his youth, Dempsey participated in juggling competitions.