Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ellen Pompeo
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ellen Pompeo made an impact.
Ellen Pompeo is a highly successful American actress, recognized as one of the world's highest-paid since 2017. She has consistently appeared on Forbes' year-end lists, reflecting her financial success. Pompeo's achievements include a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe Award nomination, highlighting her impact and recognition within the acting industry.
1995: Move to New York City and Modeling Opportunities
In 1995, Ellen Pompeo and her then-boyfriend moved to New York City, where she was approached by a casting director to appear in ads for Citibank and L'Oreal.
1996: Television Debut on Law & Order
In 1996, Ellen Pompeo made her television debut by guest-starring in the NBC legal police drama Law & Order.
1999: Feature Film Debut in Coming Soon
In 1999, Ellen Pompeo made her feature film debut in 'Coming Soon', playing a small part.
1999: Feature Film Debut
In 1999, Ellen Pompeo made her feature film debut in the romantic comedy 'Coming Soon'.
2000: Second Appearance in Law & Order
In 2000, Ellen Pompeo made her second appearance in Law & Order, and then guest-starred on Strangers with Candy, Strong Medicine, and Friends.
2002: Breakthrough Role in Moonlight Mile
In 2002, Ellen Pompeo had a career turning point when she was noticed for her role in Brad Silberling's romantic drama 'Moonlight Mile'.
2002: Lead Role in Moonlight Mile and Appearance in Catch Me If You Can
In 2002, Ellen Pompeo was selected for a lead role in the film 'Moonlight Mile' and appeared in the film 'Catch Me If You Can'.
2003: Role in Old School
In 2003, Ellen Pompeo appeared in 'Old School' as Luke Wilson's love interest.
2003: Film Roles in Old School and Daredevil
In 2003, Ellen Pompeo appeared in the comedy 'Old School' and the superhero film 'Daredevil'.
2004: Film Role in Art Heist
In 2004, Ellen Pompeo appeared in the caper film 'Art Heist'.
2004: Role in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Daredevil
In 2004, Ellen Pompeo portrayed Jim Carrey's ex-girlfriend, Naomi, in the film 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'. Although her scenes were cut, she was grateful for the opportunity. She also played the role of Karen Page in the film Daredevil.
2005: Film Role in Life of the Party
In 2005, Ellen Pompeo appeared in the comedy drama 'Life of the Party'.
2005: Major Role in Grey's Anatomy
In 2005, Ellen Pompeo landed her first major role on the ABC medical drama series 'Grey's Anatomy', playing the title character Meredith Grey.
2005: Starring Full Time on Grey's Anatomy
Since the show's premiere in 2005, Ellen Pompeo starred full time in the medical series drama Grey's Anatomy. Season 19 of the show marked the first time the star had a scaled back role on the television series. Pompeo remained an executive producer on the show and continued her signature voiceovers for the show.
2006: Satellite Award for Best Ensemble
In 2006, Ellen Pompeo and the 'Grey's Anatomy' cast won Best Ensemble in a Television Series at the Satellite Awards.
2007: Life of the Party and Women in Film Lucy Award
In 2007, Ellen Pompeo starred in 'Life of the Party' and, along with the female cast and crew of 'Grey's Anatomy', received the Women in Film Lucy Award.
2008: Screen Actors Guild Awards Nomination
In 2008, Ellen Pompeo and the Grey's Anatomy cast received nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the 13th Screen Actors Guild Awards.
October 27, 2011: Launch of Production Company Calamity Jane
On October 27, 2011, Ellen Pompeo launched her own production company called Calamity Jane and sold its first project to ABC.
2011: New Contract for Grey's Anatomy
In 2011, Ellen Pompeo signed a new contract for Grey's Anatomy, increasing her salary to US$200,000 per episode.
2012: Eighth Highest-Paid TV Actress
In 2012, Ellen Pompeo was named the eighth highest-paid TV actress, earning $9 million.
2013: Adaptation of Rachel Carey's Novel
In August 2014, Ellen Pompeo was developing an adaptation of Rachel Carey's 2013 novel 'Debt' for ABC Family.
2013: Renewed Deal for Grey's Anatomy
Under her renewed deal of 2013, Ellen Pompeo earned $350,000 per episode of Grey's Anatomy, with additional payment from syndication.
August 2014: Development of Dramas with ABC Studios
In August 2014, Ellen Pompeo was developing two dramas with ABC Studios: an adaptation of Rachel Carey's 2013 novel 'Debt' and an untitled female police drama.
2015: Appearance in Taylor Swift's Music Video
In 2015, Ellen Pompeo appeared in the music video for Taylor Swift's single "Bad Blood".
2015: Ranked Fourth Highest-Paid TV Actress
In 2015, Ellen Pompeo was ranked fourth in the list of highest-paid television actresses in the Forbes list, with earnings of $11.5 million.
2016: Directed by Denzel Washington in Grey's Anatomy
In 2016, Denzel Washington directed Ellen Pompeo in the Grey's Anatomy episode 'The Sound of Silence'.
2016: Continued Spot on Forbes' List
In 2016, Ellen Pompeo held on to the fourth spot in Forbes' list, bringing in $14 million, a 32% increase in earnings from 2015.
2016: Ranked Among Highest-Paid TV Actresses
In 2016, Ellen Pompeo was ranked fourth in the list of highest-paid TV actresses by Forbes, with earnings of $14.9 million.
2017: One of the World's Highest-Paid Actors
Since 2017, Ellen Pompeo has been one of the world's highest-paid actors, making multiple appearances on Forbes' year-end lists.
January 2018: New Contract for Grey's Anatomy
In January 2018, Ellen Pompeo renewed her contract for Grey's Anatomy, becoming the highest-paid actress in a television drama series, earning more than $20 million a year. She also became a producer for the series and co-producer for the spin-off, Station 19. Pompeo wrote about the gender pay gap and her new contract in The Hollywood Reporter.
2018: Third Highest-Paid Female Actor
In 2018, Ellen Pompeo became the third highest-paid female and the fifth highest-paid actor overall, earning $23.6 million and was the highest-ranked actress from a drama series on the Forbes list.
2019: Guest Judge on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
In 2019, Ellen Pompeo appeared as a guest judge on the fourth season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars'.
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