Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey | |
|---|---|
 Patrick Dempsey at the 80th Academy Awards | |
| Born | Patrick Galen Dempsey |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouse(s) | Jillian Fink (1999–present) Rocky Parker (1987–1994) |
Patrick Galen Dempsey (born January 13, 1966) is an American actor and race car driver, known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd ("McDreamy") on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy and his men's fragrance 'Unscripted' from Avon. He has also appeared in several films, including Sweet Home Alabama, The Emperor's Club, Freedom Writers, Enchanted and Made of Honor.
Early life
Dempsey, an Irish-American[1] was born in Lewiston, Maine and grew up in Buckfield, Maine, the youngest of three children born to Amanda and William Dempsey.[2][3]. Dempsey attended St. Dominic Regional High School for his senior year, where his mother worked as a secretary, but dropped out before he graduated. He was an adept juggler, tying for second in a national juggling competition.[4]
Dempsey also spent some of his school years in the town of Buckfield, Maine, where he attended Buckfield High School in the Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) #39 for his freshman through junior years. His mother was secretary to the high school principal there and still resides in the area. Today, Dempsey resides in the nearby coastal island of Harpswell, Maine, former home to Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Dempsey was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 12. He told Barbara Walters on her 2008 Oscar's special that he thinks dyslexia "made him what he is today." “It’s given me a perspective of — you have to keep working,” Dempsey tells Walters. “I have never given up.”[5]
Career
Early career
Dempsey was discovered by an invitation to audition for a role in the stage production of Torch Song Trilogy. His audition was successful, and he spent the following four months touring with the company in San Francisco. Dempsey also appeared on MTV on a show Overnight Success by Teri DeSario, where he dances and juggles. 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 1991 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 movie In The Mood, the real life WW2 story about Ellsworth Wisecarver who had relationships with older married women which created a national uproar. 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, he had the lead role in the film Loverboy with actress Kirstie Alley and Happy Together with actress Helen Slater. Although the teen comedy and romance roles led to Dempsey being somewhat typecast for a time, he was able to avoid playing the same character as his career progressed[citation needed].
1990s and 2000s
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Dempsey made a number of 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. However he received good reviews [citation needed] as he portrayed real-life mob boss, Meyer Lansky in 1991, when Mobsters were put on the screen. His first major television role in tv series was a recurring role as Will's closeted sportscaster boyfriend on Will & Grace. He went on to play the role of Aaron Brooks, Lily & Judy's psychologically unbalanced brother, on Once & Again. Dempsey received an Emmy nomination in 2001 as Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the role of Aaron. In 1993 he was convincing as a young John F. Kennedy in the 2-part TV mini-series JFK: Reckless Youth. 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 3 episodes finale season (8x13-8x15), as a married man who murdered his lover.
Dempsey had a high-profile role as one of the suitors for Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama. He also had a role as Detective Kincaid on Scream 3. He is expected to return in a possible Scream 4. Dempsey's most recent roles include the 2007 Disney film Enchanted, and the Paramount Pictures film Freedom Writers where he reunites with his Iron Jawed Angels co-star Hilary Swank. He also voiced the character Kenai in Brother Bear 2.
More recently, Dempsey has starred in Made of Honor as Tom.
Patrick Dempsey is scheduled to begin filming the upcoming movie "Blood, Sweat and Tears" in Chicago in September 2009. Dempsey will play a powerful record company executive in this music-filled action-comedy produced by David Johnson.
Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane are bound for the same big-screen project, joining the estimable ensemble for the romantic comedy Valentine's Day. The Garry Marshall-directed film follows five interconnecting stories about Los Angelinos anticipating (or in some cases dreading) the holiday of love.[6]
Grey's Anatomy
Dempsey has received significant public attention for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd in the drama Grey's Anatomy. Prior to landing the role of Derek Shepherd, Dempsey auditioned for the role of Dr. Robert Chase on another medical show, House. Initially a midseason replacement, the show was very well received and has become a highly rated program. Media attention has been focused on Dempsey's character Derek, often referred to as "McDreamy", for his sex appeal, and the character's romance with intern Meredith Grey (played by Ellen Pompeo).
Dempsey was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama at the 2007 Golden Globes for the role. In 2006 Dempsey signed a contract with ABC raising his salary to $225,000 per episode. His success on the show has led to him becoming a spokesman for Mazda and a model for Versace. He has also been the spokesman for several recent State Farm advertisements. He is currently working with Avon to launch a fragrance, due out in November 2008, which is called Unscripted.
Personal life
Dempsey has had rhinoplasty and admits to using Botox. He has been married twice. In 1987, he married actress and acting coach Rocky Parker, who appeared with Dempsey in the film In the Mood. At the time of their marriage, Dempsey was 21 years old, while Parker was 48, with a son, Corey Parker, who was one year Dempsey's senior. The couple divorced in 1994.
On July 31, 1999, Dempsey married Delux Beauty founder Jillian Fink - The couple have three children: a daughter, Talula Fyfe, born on February 20, 2002, and twin sons Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick, born on February 1, 2007. The family lives in Los Angeles.
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
|---|---|
| Years | 2009 |
| Teams | Advanced Engineering/Team Seattle |
| Best finish | 30th |
| Class wins | 0 |
Dempsey enjoys auto racing in his spare time, having driven the pace car in the Indianapolis 500, and raced in the Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car race and Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. He is currently the co-owner of IndyCar Series team Vision Racing. In 2008, he competed in 5 of 12 races in the Rolex Sports Car Series. In 2009, he raced a Team Seattle Advanced Engineering Ferrari F430 GT in the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans's GT2 class.[7]
Dempsey was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 12. As a result, it is necessary for him to memorize all his lines in order to perform, even for auditions where he was unlikely to get the part.[8] [9]
Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing
In 1997, Dempsey's mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was treated for the disease and had two relapses and had it treated another two times. In response to his mother's bouts with cancer, Dempsey helped start the Patrick Dempsey Center in his home town of Lewiston, Maine.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | The Stuff | Underground Stuff buyer #2 | |
| Heaven Help Us | Corbet | ||
| 1986 | Meatballs III: Summer Job | Rudy | |
| 1987 | Can't Buy Me Love | Ronald Miller | Young Artist Award for "Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy". |
| In the Mood | Ellsworth 'Sonny' Wisecarver | ||
| 1988 | Some Girls | Michael | |
| In a Shallow Grave | Daventry | Limited release | |
| 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 | |
| 1994 | With Honors | Everett Calloway | |
| Ava's Magical Adventure | Jeffrey | ||
| 1995 | Outbreak | Jimbo Scott | |
| 1997 | Hugo Pool | Floyd Gaylen | Limited release |
| 1998 | Denial | Sam | |
| The Treat | Mike | Jonathan Gems film | |
| There's No Fish Food in Heaven | The Stranger | aka Life in the Fast Lane | |
| 1999 | Me and Will | Fast Eddie | |
| 2000 | Scream 3 | Det. Mark Kincaid | |
| 2002 | Sweet Home Alabama | Andrew Hennings (Melanie's fiance) | |
| The Emperor's Club | Older Louis Masoudi | ||
| 2006 | Brother Bear 2 | Kenai | voice only |
| Shade | Paul Parker | Short film | |
| 2007 | Freedom Writers | Scott Casey | |
| Enchanted | Robert Philip | Nomination — MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss Nomination — "Best Performance" - Male at the 2008 National Movie Awards | |
| 2008 | Made of Honor | Tom Bailey | |
| 2010 | Scream 4 | Det. Mark Kincaid | |
| 2010 | Valentine's Day | Harrison Copeland | |
| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1986 | A Fighting Choice | Kellin Taylor | TV movie |
| Fast Times | Mike Damone | Television series | |
| 1989 | The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! | The Plant | 1 episode |
| 1990 | The General Motors Playwrights Theater | 1 episode "Merry Christmas, Baby" | |
| 1993 | For Better and for Worse | Robert Faldo | TV movie |
| JFK: Reckless Youth | John F. Kennedy | Miniseries | |
| 1995 | Bloodknot | Tom | TV movie |
| 1996 | The Right to Remain Silent | Tom Harris | TV movie |
| A Season in Purgatory | Harrison Burns | Miniseries | |
| 1997 | 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | Pierre Arronax | Miniseries |
| The Escape | Clayton | TV movie | |
| The Player | Griffin Mill | TV movie | |
| 1998 | The Bible: Jeremiah | Jeremiah | TV movie |
| Crime and Punishment | Rodya Raskolnikov | ||
| 2000-2001 | Will and Grace | Matthew | 3 episodes |
| 2000-2002 | Once and Again | Aaron Brooks | 4 episodes. Nomination - "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series" at the 53rd Primetime Emmy Awards. |
| 2001 | Blonde | Cass | Miniseries |
| 2003 | Lucky 7 | Peter Connor | |
| Karen Sisco | Carl | 1 episode | |
| About a Boy | Carl | TV movie | |
| 2004 | Iron Jawed Angels | Ben Weissman | TV movie |
| The Practice | Dr. Paul Stewart | 3 episodes | |
| 2005-present | Grey's Anatomy | Dr. Derek Shepherd | "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" at the 13th Screen Actors Guild Awards "Favourite Male TV Star" at the 33rd People's Choice Awards "Favourite Male TV Star" at the 34th People's Choice Awards Nomination — "Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama" at the 63rd Golden Globe Awards Nomination — "Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama" at the 64th Golden Globe Awards Nomination — "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" at the 12th Screen Actors Guild Awards Nomination — "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series" at the 12th Screen Actors Guild Awards Nomination — "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" at the 14th Screen Actors Guild Awards Nomination — "TV — Choice Actor: Drama/Action Adventure" at the 2006 Teen Choice Awards Nomination — "Choice TV Actor: Drama" at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards Nomination — "Favourite Male TV Star" at the 35th People's Choice Awards |
| 2009 | Private Practice | Dr. Derek Shepherd | TV episode ("The Ex-Life") |
References
- ^ "100 Top Irish-Americans!!!". Rincenatiarna. 2006-03-17. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
- ^ Patrick Dempsey Biography (1956-)
- ^ "'McDreamy' Could Have Been a Schlossnagle"
- ^ 1981 Juniors Championship of the International Jugglers' Association (IJA), http://www.juggle.org/history/champs/champs1981.php
- ^ [1]
- ^ Matt Mitovich (08 Jul y2009). "Grey's Stars Dempsey and Dane Celebrate Valentine's Day". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Gigawave replaced by SAE at Le Mans
- ^ USA WEEKEND Magazine
- ^ Patrick Dempsey Reveals His Dyslexia
External links
- Please use a more specific IMDb template. See the documentation for available templates.
- Template:Tvtome person
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- Patrick Dempsey at People.com
- Patrick Dempsey's biography by ABC
- Patrick Dempsey interview at reviewgraveyard.com
- Men's Vogue's June 2008 cover story on Dempsey
- 1966 births
- American film actors
- American racecar drivers
- American stage actors
- American television actors
- Indy Racing League owners
- Irish Americans
- Jugglers
- Living people
- Actors from Maine
- People from Lewiston, Maine
- 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners