Editing Patrick Dempsey (section)

==Acting career==

===1984–1989: Early roles and breakthrough ===
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]]. Dempsey has also made notable appearances in the stage productions of ''[[On Golden Pond (play)|On Golden Pond]]'', with the Maine Acting Company, and as Timmy (the [[Martin Sheen]] role) in a 1990 off-[[Broadway theatre|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 (film)|In The Mood]]'', the actual [[World War II]] story about [[Ellsworth Wisecarver]] whose relationships with older married women created a national uproar. 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 (film)|Can't Buy Me Love]]'' in 1987 with actress [[Amanda Peterson]] and ''[[Some Girls (film)|Some Girls]]'' with [[Jennifer Connelly]] in 1988. In 1989, Dempsey had the lead role in the films ''[[Loverboy (1989 film)|Loverboy]]'' with actress [[Kirstie Alley]] and ''[[Happy Together (1989 American film)|Happy Together]]'' with actress [[Helen Slater]].<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|1131}}</ref>

===1990–2004: Established actor ===
[[Image:Patrickdemseyatthe80academyawardscrop.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Dempsey at the [[80th Academy Awards]]]]
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 (1992 film)|The Player]]'' and ''[[About a Boy (film)|About A Boy]]''. He received positive reviews,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D0CE2D81639F935A15754C0A967958260|title=MOVIE REVIEW Mobsters (1991)|author=Caryn James|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 26, 1991}}</ref> however, as he portrayed real-life [[Crime boss|mob boss]], [[Meyer Lansky]] in 1991 when ''[[Mobsters (film)|Mobsters]]'' was put on the screen. His first major television role was a three-episode stint as [[Will Truman]]'s [[the closet|closeted]] sportscaster boyfriend on ''[[Will & Grace]]''. He appeared in four episodes of ''[[Once & Again]]'' as Aaron Brooks, the [[Schizophrenia|schizophrenic]] brother of Lily ([[Sela Ward]]). Dempsey received an [[Emmy Award|Emmy]]<ref>[http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/patrick-dempsey Patrick Dempsey Emmy Winner]</ref> nomination in 2001 as Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the role of Aaron. In 1993, he played a young [[John F. Kennedy]] in the two-part TV mini-series ''[[JFK: Reckless Youth]]''. In 2000, he played Detective Kincaid in ''[[Scream 3]]''.<ref name="imdb"/>

Dempsey had a high-profile role as the fiancé of [[Reese Witherspoon]]'s character in ''[[Sweet Home Alabama (film)|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).

===2005–2015: Stardom and ''Grey's Anatomy''===
{{Main|Grey's Anatomy}}
Dempsey has received significant public attention for his role as [[Derek Shepherd|Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd]] in the medical drama ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'' opposite [[Ellen Pompeo]]. Before landing the role, Dempsey auditioned for the role of [[Dr. Chase]] on another medical show, ''[[House (TV series)|House]]''. He also appeared in two episodes of the later ''Grey''<nowiki/>'''s'' spinoff ''[[Private Practice (TV series)|Private Practice]]'', playing the same character of Dr. Shepherd.<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|1131}}</ref> The relationship his character had with Meredith Grey ([[Ellen Pompeo]]) on screen has received a lot of praise and positive reactions.

In 2007, Dempsey starred in the [[Disney]] film ''[[Enchanted (2007 film)|Enchanted]]'', and the [[Paramount Pictures]] film ''[[Freedom Writers]]'', where he reunited with his ''Iron Jawed Angels'' co-star [[Hilary Swank]]. He also voiced the character [[Kenai (Brother Bear)|Kenai]] in ''[[Brother Bear]]'' sequel ''[[Brother Bear 2]]'', replacing [[Joaquin Phoenix]]. Other roles Dempsey appeared in during this time include the 2008 film ''[[Made of Honor]]'' as Tom, and the 2010 romantic comedy ''[[Valentine's Day (2010 film)|Valentine's Day]]''; the latter film follows five interconnecting stories about Los Angelinos anticipating (or in some cases dreading) the holiday of love.<ref>{{cite news|author=Matt Mitovich|title=Grey's Stars Dempsey and Dane Celebrate Valentine's Day|url=http://movies.tvguide.com/Movie-News/Dempsey-Dane-Valentines-1007819.aspx|work=TVGuide.com|date=July 8, 2009|access-date=July 8, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711081827/http://movies.tvguide.com/Movie-News/Dempsey-Dane-Valentines-1007819.aspx|archive-date=July 11, 2009}}</ref> Universal Pictures acquired the rights to the prize-winning novel ''[[The Art of Racing in the Rain]]'' in July 2009, for Dempsey to star in.<ref>{{citation |author=Fleming, Michael|title=Dempsey shifts gears for Universal|journal=Variety|date=July 15, 2009}}</ref> The film instead starred Milo Ventimiglia.<ref>{{citation|author=Boucher, Geoff|title=Dempsey hopes to leave 'McDreamy' in rearview|journal=Chicago Tribune|date=July 25, 2011}}</ref> He starred as Dylan Gould in ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]'' (2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272631647.shtml|title=Patrick Dempsey & Transformers – McDreamy's Transforming Role|work=National Ledger|date=May 6, 2010|access-date=May 12, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509152026/http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272631647.shtml|archive-date=May 9, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/patrick-dempsey-from-mcdreamy-to-transformers-3_article_31946|title=Patrick Dempsey: From McDreamy To 'Transformers 3'|publisher=Access Hollywood|date=May 11, 2010|access-date=April 22, 2011}}</ref>

In January 2014, he signed a two-year contract to remain on ''Grey's Anatomy'', then in its tenth season, that would ensure his participation for potential 11th and 12th seasons.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|title='Grey's Anatomy's' Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo Ink New Two-Year Deals|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/greys-anatomys-patrick-dempsey-ellen-673644|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=April 25, 2014|date=January 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Wagmeister|first1=Elizabeth|title='Grey's Anatomy': Patrick Dempsey Officially Leaving After 11 Seasons|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/patrick-dempsey-leaving-greys-anatomy-derek-dies-1201478891/|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=April 25, 2015|date=April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Rice|first1=Lynette|title=Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey on tonight's shocking twist -- exclusive|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/23/patrick-dempsey-interview|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=April 25, 2015|date=April 24, 2015}}</ref> Dempsey was nominated for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama|Best Actor – Television Series Drama]] at the 2006 [[Golden Globe Awards]] for the role. His success on the show has led to his becoming a spokesman for Mazda and State Farm Insurance.<ref>{{cite news|title=State Farm Commercial Guy|url=http://www.insurancezing.com/state-farm/commercial.html|access-date=August 30, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mazda Man Patrick Dempsey Interview| date=December 16, 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx_4ul4wtjE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/Nx_4ul4wtjE| archive-date=October 29, 2021|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=August 30, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[BuddyTV]] ranked him #1 on its list of "TV's Sexiest Men of 2011".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/slideshows/white-collar/tvs-100-sexiest-men-of-2011-29104.aspx|title=TV's 100 Sexiest Men of 2011|date=December 7, 2011 |publisher=[[BuddyTV]]|access-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref> In November 2020, Dempsey appeared as Derek Shepherd at the start of the series' 17th season for the first time since the character had died in April 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|title='Grey's Anatomy' Shocker: Krista Vernoff, Ellen Pompeo & Patrick Dempsey On Season 17 Premiere's Dream Reunion & More|url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/patrick-dempsey-greys-anatomy-return-shocker-season-premiere-interview-derek-meredith-reunion-fate-1234613511/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=November 12, 2020|date=November 21, 2020}}</ref>

===2016–present ===
Following his departure from ''Grey's Anatomy'', Dempsey was working on two small-screen projects: a drama ''The Limit'' for SundanceTV and a travelogue spy thriller called ''Fodors''. He said: {{cquote|I would love to do something else. I'm going to take the rest of the year off to develop. I would like to be a producer. I would commit to a show that is 10 to 12 episodes. But 24 again, I don't know if I would do that. It's a very hard life. It's financially rewarding but there comes a point where how much is enough, really? I'm focusing now on developing and racing and being a father to my children.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Rice|first1=Lynette|title=What's next for Patrick Dempsey?|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/23/patrick-dempsey-greys-anatomy-next|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=April 25, 2015|date=April 23, 2015}}</ref>}}

In 2016, Dempsey starred in the [[Universal Pictures]] film ''[[Bridget Jones's Baby]]'' with [[Renée Zellweger]] and [[Colin Firth]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jaafar|first1=Ali|title=Patrick Dempsey Joining 'Bridget Jones's Baby' For Working Title|url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/patrick-dempsey-bridget-jones-baby-working-title-renee-zellweger-colin-firth-1201519501/|access-date=September 13, 2015|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=September 9, 2015}}</ref> and in 2018 he appeared on [[Epix]] television miniseries ''[[The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair (miniseries)|The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Bacle|first1=Ariana|title=Patrick Dempsey Sets TV Return With 'The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair' Adaptation|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/08/15/patrick-dempsey-truth-about-harry-quebert-affair/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=April 26, 2018|language=en|date=August 15, 2017}}</ref> In 2017 he participated in the short film ''[[Red Nose Day Actually]]'', a sequel to the 2003 romantic comedy ''[[Love Actually]]''. Dempsey played the role of the husband of [[Laura Linney]]'s character Sarah. Starting from 2020 he has portrayed Dominic Morgan in the [[Sky Atlantic (Italian TV channel)|Sky Atlantic]] financial thriller series ''[[Devils (TV series)|Devils]]''. On February 4, 2020, Dempsey signed on to star as the lead of a [[CBS]] political drama pilot ''Ways & Means'', where he would portray a Congressional leader.<ref>{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Patrick Dempsey To Star In CBS Political Drama Pilot 'Ways & Means' From Ed Redlich, Mike Murphy & PatMa|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/patrick-dempsey-star-cbs-political-drama-pilot-ways-means-ed-redlich-mike-murphy-patma-1202850622/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=February 6, 2020|language=en|date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> Initially planned to be considered for the [[2020–21 United States network television schedule|2020-21 televisions season]], the pilot was rolled into consideration for the following season due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. CBS ultimately passed on the finished pilot in May 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=May 14, 2021|title=CBS Pilots Update: 'Ways & Means', Sarah Cooper/Cindy Chupack & 'Welcome To Georgia' Not Moving Forward|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/cbs-pilots-ways-means-sarah-cooper-cindy-chupack-welcome-to-georgia-dead-patrick-dempsey-1234757258/|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> In January 2021, it was announced that Dempsey would reprise his role in the ''Enchanted'' sequel, ''[[Disenchanted (film)|Disenchanted]]'', which began production in spring of that year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Patrick Dempsey returning alongside Amy Adams for 'Enchanted' sequel, 'Disenchanted' |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/patrick-dempsey-returning-alongside-amy-adams-enchanted-sequel-75231103 |website=Good Morning America |access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> The film was released on [[Disney+]] in late 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=December 10, 2020|title='Disenchanted': 'Enchanted' Sequel With Amy Adams Going To Disney+|url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/enchanted-sequel-disenchanted-going-to-disney-with-amy-adams-1234654455/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211105957/https://deadline.com/2020/12/enchanted-sequel-disenchanted-going-to-disney-with-amy-adams-1234654455/|archive-date=December 11, 2020|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> In 2023, he portrayed Sheriff Eric Newlon in the slasher film ''[[Thanksgiving (2023 film)|Thanksgiving]]'' and [[Piero Taruffi]] in the biographical sports drama ''[[Ferrari (2023 film)|Ferrari]]'' directed by [[Michael Mann]]. In 2024, Dempsey portrayed police captain Aaron Spencer in the [[prequel]] series ''[[Dexter: Original Sin]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Patrick Dempsey Says He's 'Truly Grateful' to Work on Dexter Prequel Series with His Famous Costars (Exclusive)|url=https://people.com/patrick-dempsey-grateful-dexter-prequel-series-costars-exclusive-8733878|website=[[People Magazine]]|date=October 7, 2024|access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>