Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey is an actor and race car driver widely recognized for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd in the medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." His performance as the neurosurgeon earned him nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards.

Before his tenure on "Grey's Anatomy," Dempsey was involved in a variety of films and TV shows throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He starred in teenage romantic comedies such as "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Loverboy." However, his roles expanded over time to include more mature characters, in films like "Outbreak," "Sweet Home Alabama," and "Enchanted." He further showcased his range by starring in the dramatic roles of "Scream 3" and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." Dempsey's recent film appearances include the 2023 productions "Thanksgiving" and "Ferrari." He also returned to the small screen with "Dexter: Original Sin" and stars in the dramatic thriller series "Memory of a Killer."

In addition to his acting career, Dempsey is an avid auto racing enthusiast, having competed in prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Dempsey co-founded Dempsey Racing, and his team has competed in the Tudor United Sports Car Series and the American Le Mans Series. In 2015, he focused on participating in the FIA World Endurance Championship with his Dempsey Racing-Proton team in the GTE-Am class, reaffirming his love for motorsports.

Dempsey also launched an Avon fragrance named "Unscripted" in November 2008 and a second fragrance named "Patrick Dempsey 2" in June 2009, which won the "Men's Private Label/Direct Sell" at the 2010 FiFi Awards. Additionally, in 2013, his company, Global Baristas, purchased Seattle-based Tully's Coffee out of bankruptcy for $9.15 million, showcasing his entrepreneurial side.

Not only has Dempsey made a name for himself in the acting and racing world, but he also founded the Patrick Dempsey Center at Central Maine Medical Center to support cancer patients, an endeavor inspired by his mother's battle with the disease. The Dempsey Challenge, an annual fundraising event for the center, began in October 2009, and it raised over $1 million in its inaugural year. In recognition of his philanthropic efforts, he received honorary doctorates from Bowdoin College and Bates College in 2013 and 2017, respectively.