Patrick Galen Dempsey (born January 13, 1966) is an American actor and race car driver. He is best known for his role as neurosurgeon Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd in Grey's Anatomy. He had early success as an actor, starring in a number of films in the 1980s, including Can't Buy Me Love (1987) and Loverboy (1989).
In the 1990s, he mostly appeared in smaller roles in film, such as Outbreak (1995) and television. Dempsey was also in Scream 3 (2000) where he played the role of Detective Mark Kincaid.
He was successful in landing a lead role in Sweet Home Alabama (2002), a surprise box office hit. He has since starred in other films, including Brother Bear 2 (2006), Enchanted (2007), Made of Honor (2008), Valentine's Day (2010), Flypaper (2011), Freedom Writers (2007), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), and Bridget Jones's Baby (2016).
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.
Known For
Destined to Drive: Patrick Dempsey's Return to Racing
Self
2025
Dexter: Original Sin
Aaron Spencer · (10 episodes)
2024
Ferrari
Piero Taruffi
2023
Thanksgiving
Sheriff Eric Newlon
2023
Racing With Giants: Porsche at Le Mans
Self
2023
Disenchanted
Robert Philip
2022
Mostra, Venise
Self - "Tapis Rouge" Guest · (1 episode)
2022
Alumination
Self
2021
SurrealEstate
Tom Quincy · (1 episode)
2021
Devils
Dominic Morgan · (18 episodes)
2020
Hurley
Self
2019
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
Harry Quebert · (10 episodes)
2018
Red Nose Day Actually
(US version)
2017
Bridget Jones's Baby
Jack
2016
Jay Leno's Garage
Self · (1 episode)
2015
We Are Racers
Self
2015
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman
Self
2015
Sports Insiders on 24 Hours of Le Mans
Self
2014
Car Matchmaker with Spike Feresten
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Patrick Dempsey: Racing LeMans
Self · (4 episodes)
2013
Ushi Must Marry
Self
2013
The Jonathan Ross Show
Self · (1 episode)
2011
Flypaper
Tripp
2011
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Dylan
2011
Boys of Bonneville
Narrator (voice)
2011
Valentine's Day
Dr. Harrison Copeland
2010
Made of Honor
Tom
2008
Enchanted
Robert Philip
2007
Private Practice
Dr. Derek Shepherd · (2 episodes)
2007
24 x 24: Wide Open with Jeff Gordon
Self - Host
2007
Freedom Writers
Scott Casey
2007
El hormiguero
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2006
Brother Bear 2
Kenai (voice)
2006
The Reichen Show
Self · (1 episode)
2005
Grey's Anatomy
Derek Shepherd · (248 episodes)
2005
The Tony Danza Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2004
Iron Jawed Angels
Ben Weissman
2004
Karen Sisco
(1 episode)
2003
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (1 episode)
2003
Lucky 7
Peter Connor
2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self · (1 episode)
2003
The Emperor's Club
Older Louis Masoudi
2002
Top Gear
Self · (1 episode)
2002
Sweet Home Alabama
Andrew Hennings
2002
The Caroline Rhea Show
(1 episode)
2002
Revealed with Jules Asner
(1 episode)
2001
Blonde
Cass · (2 episodes)
2001
Scream 3
Mark Kincaid
2000
Once and Again
(4 episodes)
1999
Me and Will
Fast Eddie
1999
Jeremiah
Jeremiah
1998
There's No Fish Food in Heaven
The Stranger
1998
Crime and Punishment
Rodya Raskolnikov
1998
Will & Grace
Matthew · (3 episodes)
1998
The Treat
Mike
1998
Denial
Sam
1998
The Escape
Clayton
1998
Ava's Magical Adventure
Jeffrey
1998
Hugo Pool
Floyd Gaylen
1997
The View
Self · (1 episode)
1997
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Pierre Arronax · (2 episodes)
1997
The Practice
Dr. Paul Stewart · (3 episodes)
1997
E! True Hollywood Story
(1 episode)
1996
The Daily Show
Self · (2 episodes)
1996
A Season in Purgatory
Harrison Burns
1996
The Right to Remain Silent
Tom Harris
1996
Bloodknot
Tom
1995
Outbreak
Jimbo Scott
1995
With Honors
Everett Calloway
1994
Bank Robber
Billy
1993
JFK: Reckless Youth
John F. Kennedy · (2 episodes)
1993
Face the Music
Charlie Hunter
1993
For Better and for Worse
Robert Faldo
1993
Morgenmagazin
Self · (1 episode)
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
(1 episode)
1992
Mobsters
Meyer Lansky
1991
Run
Charlie Farrow
1991
Coupe de Ville
Robert 'Bobby' Libner
1990
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
The Plant · (1 episode)
1989
Happy Together
Chris Wooden
1989
Loverboy
Randy Bodek
1989
Some Girls
Michael
1988
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self - Guest · (3 episodes)
1988
In a Shallow Grave
Potter Daventry
1988
In the Mood
Ellsworth "Sonny" Wisecarver
1987
Can't Buy Me Love
Ronald Miller
1987
Meatballs III: Summer Job
Rudy
1986
A Fighting Choice
Kellin Taylor
1986
The Stuff
Underground Stuff Buyer (uncredited)
1985
The Household Guide to Dying
Fast Times
Mike Damone · (7 episodes)
1986
Heaven Help Us
Corbet
1985
Late Night with David Letterman
Self · (1 episode)
1982
Nightline
(1 episode)
1980
Memory of a Killer
Angelo Ledda · (0 episode)