Biography
A charismatic, yet slightly geeky heartthrob of teen-pleasing films of the late 1980s, Patrick Dempsey succeeded in doing what few teen idols ever manage to do - disappear off the radar for several years before resurrecting their adult career as the resident hunk on one of the most popular TV shows of its time. Almost 20 years after riding that famous lawnmower to fame as the wannabe lady killer Ronald Miller in "Can't Buy Me Love" (1987), …
Patrick Dempsey SlideShow
1 - 4 of 37
Career Milestones
2011 | Appeared in Michael Bay's "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" | |
2010 | Joined an ensemble cast for the Garry Marshall directed romantic comedy, "Valentine's Day" | |
2008 | Starred with Michelle Monaghan in the romantic comedy, "Made of Honor" | |
2007 | Co-starred with Amy Adams in the live-action, animated feature, "Enchanted" | |
2007 | Played the husband of Hilary Swank's character in "Freedom Writers" | |
2005 | Cast as Dr. Derek Shepherd in the ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy"; earned Golden Globe (2006, 2007) and SAG (2006) nominations for Best Actor | |
2004 | Cast in the HBO original movie "Iron Jawed Angels" based on womens' struggle for the right to vote in America | |
2002 | Co-starred with Reese Witherspoon in the romantic comedy "Sweet Home Alabama" | |
2001 | Portrayed Cass Chaplin (a semi-fictive Charles Chaplin Jr.) in the CBS miniseries "Blonde" based on Joyce Carol Oates' novel | |
2000 | Co-starred as a detective investigating a string of murders on a film set in "Scream 3" | |
2000 | Had recurring role as a closeted sportscaster dating lawyer Will Truman (Eric McCormack) in the NBC sitcom "Will & Grace" | |
2000 | Cast in a recurring role as the psycholigically disturbed brother of Lily (Sela Ward) on "Once and Again" (ABC); earned an Emmy (2001) nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor | |
1998 | Played title role in the biblical drama "Jeremiah" (aired in the USA in 2000 on PAX TV) | |
1997 | Modeled clothes for the J. Crew catalog | |
1996 | Starred in the CBS miniseries "A Season in Purgatory," adapted from the Dominick Dunne novel | |
1994 | Directorial debut as co-helmer (with then wife Rocky Parker) of "Ava's Magical Adventure" | |
1994 | Appeared as Brendan Fraser's college roommate in "With Honors" | |
1993 | Cast in the title role of the ABC miniseries "JFK: Reckless Youth" | |
1991 | Portrayed the young Meyer Lansky in "Mobsters" | |
1991 | Made Off-Broadway debut in a revival of "The Subject Was Roses" | |
1990 | Co-starred in "Coup de Ville" | |
1989 | Portrayed an amorous pizza delivery man in "Loverboy" | |
1987 | Breakthrough role as Ronald Miller, the loveable geek in "Can't Buy Me Love" | |
1986 | TV-movie debut as an epileptic teen in "A Fighting Choice" (ABC) | |
1986 | TV debut as Mike Damone in the short-lived CBS teen sitcom "Fast Times" | |
1985 | Film acting debut, "Heaven Help Us" | |
| Toured for a year in leading role of Eugene Jerome in the Neil Simon comedy-drama "Brighton Beach Memoirs" | ||
1983 | Won "Talent America" contest and the attention of a booking agent during the summer | |
1983 | Appeared in San Francisco production of "Torch Song Trilogy" | |
1983 | Stage debut, "On Golden Pond," with Maine Acting Company | |
1981 | Performed as juggler, magician and puppeteer before Elks clubs and community organizations | |
| Raised in rural communities of Turner and Buckfield, ME | ||
Awards
2008 | MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss in Enchanted |
2008 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in Grey's Anatomy |
2007 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in Grey's Anatomy |
2006 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama in Grey's Anatomy |
2006 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series in Grey's Anatomy |
2006 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in Grey's Anatomy |
2005 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama in Grey's Anatomy |
2001 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor In a Drama Series in Once and Again |