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IMDbPro

Patrick Dempsey(I)

  • Actor
  • Production Manager
  • Producer
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000107
Patrick Dempsey
Take a closer look at the various roles Patrick Dempsey has played throughout his acting career.
Play clip3:01
Patrick Dempsey: Movie and TV Moments
93 Videos
99+ Photos
Patrick Dempsey has lived two charming but separate lives on film and television. From an exuberant, somewhat awkward charmer in college comedy films of the late 1980s and early 1990s, he has morphed spectacularly into a dreamy, wavy-haired television hunk of the new-age millennium and this seductive new image has since spilled off into romantic lead roles back on the large screen as a slightly offbeat, self-effacing Prince Charming type.

Patrick Galen Dempsey was born on January 13, 1966 in Lewiston, Maine, to M. Amanda (Casson) and William Allen Dempsey. He is the youngest of three. His father, an insurance agent, and his mother, a school secretary, raised the children in Buckfield (Maine). His parents were both originally from Pennsylvania, and he has German, English, and Scottish ancestry ("Dempsey" was the surname of his step-grandfather). Patrick, who was diagnosed as dyslexic (he has to fully memorize his scripts), attended St. Dominic Regional High School but dropped out before graduating.

Always interested in entertainment, Patrick studied juggling and entered several competitions. Acting was also a natural for him and, at age 15, he earned the role of the rebellious son in a Maine production of "On Golden Pond". Two years later, he won a prime role as David, the gay teen, in the Harvey Fierstein play "Torch Song Trilogy", spending several months touring the San Francisco area with the show. In between he, found supplementary gigs dancing and juggling. More opportunities came his way after winning the protagonist role of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" that toured in 1984. Directed by the renowned comedy favorite Gene Saks, Dempsey started looking at the possibility of film work.

He made his movie debut in the secondary part of a Catholic student in the 1960s-era school-age comedy Heaven Help Us (1985) starring "Brat Pack" actor Andrew McCarthy. More silliness followed with Meatballs III: Summer Job (1986) and a ripe turn in the socially aware television-movie A Fighting Choice (1986) in which he played an epileptic teen who sues his parents (Beau Bridges and Karen Valentine) in order to have risky brain surgery. Around the same time, he found himself in a television series entitled Fast Times (1986), based on the ultimate school-age film Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), which made a star out of Sean Penn. Inheriting the Robert Romanus cool guy role of con artist Mike Damone, expectations were far too big and the television series died a quick death.

However, his movie career got on a faster track and he scored well co-starring with the worldly Beverly D'Angelo in the movie In the Mood (1987), as a young man who makes headlines pursuing older women. Life resembled art that same year when Patrick married actress and drama coach Rocky Parker, who played a bit part in the film. He was 21 and she was 48. By this time, his trademark cuteness and appeal started taking shape. The youthful 21-year old Patrick played a nerd role next in the very funny high school comedy Can't Buy Me Love (1987) with Amanda Peterson. A movie favorite for many, Patrick had reached the peak of his early career popularity. He showed a more serious side in the World War II-era drama In a Shallow Grave (1988), which presented a Cyrano de Bergerac-like story line with Patrick as the Christian de Neuvillette counterpart, but then he went straight back to familiar territory with the college-themed comedies Some Girls (1988) with Jennifer Connelly, Loverboy (1989), and Happy Together (1989).

Stretching more in the 1990s, Patrick co-starred on stage in a 1991 production of "The Subject Was Roses" (playing the Martin Sheen film role) as the World War II soldier readjusting to civilian life with his parents (Dana Ivey and "Frasier" co-star John Mahoney). Films included the cross-country comedy-drama Coupe de Ville (1990), the action thriller Run (1991), Mobsters (1991), in which he made a stab at playing major Mafioso Meyer Lansky, Face the Music (1993) opposite "Brat Pack" femme Molly Ringwald, the title role in Bank Robber (1993), and the Mark Twain family-geared Ava's Magical Adventure (1994), co-directed by Patrick and wife Rocky. However, the couple divorced that same year. On television, Patrick played a young John Fitzgerald Kennedy in the miniseries J.F.K.: Reckless Youth (1993), Pierre Arronax in the television remake of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1997), and Raskolnikov in a small screen version of Crime and Punishment (1998). The rest of the decade on film was less newsworthy with co-starring or featured movie roles in Hugo Pool (1997), Denial (1998), Life in the Fast Lane (1998) and Me and Will (1999).

It was television that gave Patrick a shot in the arm as he progressed into the new millennium. A recurring role as Will's closeted sportscaster amour in the sitcom Will & Grace (1998) presented Patrick in a more mature, wry and sexier fashion. Another recurring role in Once and Again (1999) earned him a dramatic Emmy nomination in 2001 as Outstanding Guest Actor, and a third on The Practice (1997) was also extremely well-received. While the romantic comedy film Sweet Home Alabama (2002) opposite Reese Witherspoon really nailed the direction Dempsey was headed, the medical series Grey's Anatomy (2005), as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka "Dr. McDreamy"), gave distaff audiences the whole heartthrob package. The perfect vehicle to showcase his undeniable charisma and sharp talent for offbeat comedy, he is a two-time Golden Globe nominee and his popularity has absolutely skyrocketed. This reawakening has also swung the door open again on high-profile film offers, registering with the ladies once again in a number of light leading man parts, notably Enchanted (2007), Made of Honor (2008), Valentine's Day (2010), Flypaper (2011) and Bridget Jones's Baby (2016). More serious work included the title role in the mystery crime mini-series The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair (2018) and as a bad guy in the drama series Devils (2020).

Off-camera, Dempsey married a second time in 1999, to make-up artist and Delux Beauty founder Jillian Dempsey. The couple have three children: daughter, Tallulah Fyfe (born 2002), and twin sons Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick (born 2007). An avid sports car racer (he has participated in the Indianapolis and Daytona Beach events), he showed off a more humanitarian side when he started the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing in his hometown of Lewiston after his mother developed ovarian cancer. Befittingly, he has produced a sexy men's fragrance line by Avon called "Unscripted".
BornJanuary 13, 1966
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornJanuary 13, 1966
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000107
  • Unlock contact info on IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
    • 8 wins & 22 nominations total

Photos603

Reese Witherspoon and Patrick Dempsey in Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Patrick Dempsey in Devils (2020)
Patrick Dempsey and Alessandro Borghi in Devils (2020)
Patrick Dempsey in Bank Robber (1993)
Patrick Dempsey in Bank Robber (1993)
Patrick Dempsey in Bank Robber (1993)
Patrick Dempsey in Bank Robber (1993)
Patrick Dempsey in Bank Robber (1993)
Patrick Dempsey in Bank Robber (1993)
Patrick Dempsey in Bank Robber (1993)
Patrick Dempsey, James Pickens Jr., and T.R. Knight in Grey's Anatomy (2005)
Patrick Dempsey in Grey's Anatomy (2005)

Known for

James Pickens Jr., Ellen Pompeo, and Chandra Wilson in Grey's Anatomy (2005)
Grey's Anatomy
7.6
TV Series
  • Dr. Derek Shepherd
Amanda Peterson and Patrick Dempsey in Can't Buy Me Love (1987)
Can't Buy Me Love
6.8
  • Ronald Miller
  • 1987
Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, and Amy Adams in Enchanted (2007)
Enchanted
7.1
  • Robert Philip
  • 2007
Peter Cullen, Shia LaBeouf, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
6.2
  • Dylan
  • 2011

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • Thanksgiving
    • (rumored)
    • Pre-production
  • Ferrari
    • Piero Taruffi
    • Post-production
  • Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Amy Adams, Idina Menzel, Maya Rudolph, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jayma Mays, Griffin Newman, and Gabriella Baldacchino in Disenchanted (2022)
    Disenchanted
    • Robert
    • 2022
  • DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace (2022)
    DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace
    • (voice)
    • Video Game
    • 2022
  • Patrick Dempsey and Alessandro Borghi in Devils (2020)
    Devils
    • Dominic Morgan
    • TV Series
    • 2020–2022
  • Ways & Means
    • TV Movie
    • 2021
  • Tim Rozon and Sarah Levy in SurrealEstate (2021)
    SurrealEstate
    • Tom Quincy
    • TV Series
    • 2021
  • James Pickens Jr., Ellen Pompeo, and Chandra Wilson in Grey's Anatomy (2005)
    Grey's Anatomy
    • Dr. Derek Shepherd
    • TV Series
    • 2005–2021
  • Micronesian Blues
    • TV Series
  • Patrick Dempsey in The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair (2018)
    The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
    • Harry Quebert
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2018
  • Rowan Atkinson, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Martine McCutcheon, and Bill Nighy in Red Nose Day Actually (2017)
    Red Nose Day Actually
    • Husband
    • TV Short
    • 2017
  • Bridget Jones's Baby: Extended End Credits
    • Jack (uncredited)
    • Video
    • 2017
  • Colin Firth, Renée Zellweger, and Patrick Dempsey in Bridget Jones's Baby (2016)
    Bridget Jones's Baby
    • Jack
    • 2016
  • Amy Brenneman, Brian Benben, Benjamin Bratt, Taye Diggs, Kate Walsh, Paul Adelstein, Caterina Scorsone, and KaDee Strickland in Private Practice (2007)
    Private Practice
    • Dr. Derek Shepherd
    • TV Series
    • 2009–2012
  • Peter Cullen, Shia LaBeouf, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
    Transformers: Dark of the Moon
    • Dylan
    • 2011
  • Ashley Judd and Patrick Dempsey in Flypaper (2011)
    Flypaper
    • Tripp
    • 2011
  • Julia Roberts, Kathy Bates, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Queen Latifah, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Ashton Kutcher, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, and Taylor Lautner in Valentine's Day (2010)
    Valentine's Day
    • Dr. Harrison Copeland
    • 2010

Production Manager

  • The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989)
    The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
    • production manager: live action segments
    • TV Series
    • 1989

Producer

  • Ways & Means
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2021
  • Micronesian Blues
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
  • Milo Ventimiglia and Butler in The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)
    The Art of Racing in the Rain
    • producer (produced by)
    • 2019
  • Hurley (2019)
    Hurley
    • executive producer
    • 2019
  • Patrick Dempsey in The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair (2018)
    The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
    • executive producer
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2018
  • The Peloton Project
    • executive producer
    • 2014
  • Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans (2013)
    Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans
    • executive producer
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2013
  • Ashley Judd and Patrick Dempsey in Flypaper (2011)
    Flypaper
    • producer
    • 2011

Videos94

The Stars of 'Disenchanted' Reveal Their Magical Reunion
Clip 3:01
The Stars of 'Disenchanted' Reveal Their Magical Reunion
Celebrity Hidden Talents
Clip 2:32
Celebrity Hidden Talents
Patrick Dempsey: Movie and TV Moments
Clip 3:01
Patrick Dempsey: Movie and TV Moments
Enchanted
Clip 1:42
Enchanted
Enchanted
Clip 1:06
Enchanted
Enchanted
Clip 1:12
Enchanted
Enchanted
Clip 1:43
Enchanted
Enchanted
Clip 1:06
Enchanted
Enchanted
Clip 1:17
Enchanted
Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
Clip 1:50
Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
Clip 1:38
Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
Clip 1:41
Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Instagram
    • Official Site
  • Height
    • 5′ 9¼″ (1.76 m)
  • Born
    • January 13, 1966
    • Lewiston, Maine, USA
  • Spouses
      Jillian DempseyJuly 31, 1999 - present (3 children)
  • Children
      Tallula Fyfe Dempsey
  • Parents
      William Allen Dempsey
  • Relatives
      Sibling(Sibling)
  • Other works
    TV commercial for American Stroke Association (July 2003)
  • Publicity listings
    • 7 Interviews
    • 16 Articles
    • 1 Pictorial
    • 75 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    In his first marriage, with Rocky Parker, he had a stepson who is a year older than he is.
  • Quotes
    One day my 3-year-old daughter said, 'You're very handsome, Poppy.' That was the best compliment ever.
  • Trademark
      Wavy dark brown hair
  • Nickname
    • Dr. McDreamy
  • Salaries
      Made of Honor
      (2008)
      $4,000,000

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