Career Timeline of Patrick Dempsey: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Patrick Dempsey built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Patrick Dempsey is an American actor and racing driver, most famous for his role as Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy. He has also starred in romantic films such as Enchanted. Dempsey has received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. He was also named People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2023.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1987: Early Film Roles

In 1987, Patrick Dempsey appeared in In The Mood and Meatballs III: Summer Job.

1988: Some Girls Film

In 1988, Patrick Dempsey co-starred in the film Some Girls with Jennifer Connelly.

1989: Lead Film Roles

In 1989, Patrick Dempsey had lead roles in Loverboy and Happy Together.

1990: Off-Broadway Revival

In 1990, Patrick Dempsey appeared in an off-Broadway revival of The Subject Was Roses with John Mahoney and Dana Ivey.

1991: Mobsters Portrayal

In 1991, Patrick Dempsey portrayed Meyer Lansky in the film Mobsters, receiving positive reviews.

1993: JFK: Reckless Youth

In 1993, Patrick Dempsey played a young John F. Kennedy in the TV mini-series JFK: Reckless Youth.

1995: Outbreak Film

In 1995, Patrick Dempsey took a dramatic role in the film Outbreak.

2000: Scream 3 Release

In 2000, Patrick Dempsey appeared in Scream 3.

2002: Sweet Home Alabama Role

In 2002, Patrick Dempsey had a role as the fiancé in Sweet Home Alabama.

2004: Iron Jawed Angels

In 2004, Patrick Dempsey co-starred in Iron Jawed Angels.

2005: Grey's Anatomy Debut

In 2005, Patrick Dempsey began his role as Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd in the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy.

2007: Starring in Enchanted and Freedom Writers

In 2007, Patrick Dempsey starred in the Disney film Enchanted and Freedom Writers.

2007: Freedom Writers Release

In 2007, Patrick Dempsey starred in the film Freedom Writers.

November 2008: Unscripted Fragrance Launch

In November 2008, Patrick Dempsey launched an Avon fragrance named Unscripted.

2008: Made of Honor Release

In 2008, Patrick Dempsey starred in Made of Honor.

June 2009: Patrick Dempsey 2 Fragrance Launch

In June 2009, Women's Wear Daily reported the launch of Patrick Dempsey 2, a second Avon fragrance.

July 2009: The Art of Racing in the Rain Rights Acquisition

In July 2009, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to The Art of Racing in the Rain for Patrick Dempsey to star in, though he did not ultimately star in the film.

October 2009: First Dempsey Challenge

In October 2009, Patrick Dempsey introduced the first Dempsey Challenge, raising over $1 million for the cancer center.

2009: Le Mans Debut

In 2009, Patrick Dempsey debuted at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

2009: 24 Hours of Le Mans GT2

In 2009, Patrick Dempsey raced a Team Seattle Advanced Engineering Ferrari F430 GT in the 24 Hours of Le Mans's GT2 class, finishing ninth in class.

2010: Valentine's Day Appearance

In 2010, Patrick Dempsey appeared in Valentine's Day.

2011: Transformers: Dark of the Moon Release

In 2011, Patrick Dempsey appeared in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

2011: Rolex 24 at Daytona

In 2011, Patrick Dempsey raced in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in a Mazda RX-8, finishing third in the GT Class.

2011: Transformers Role

In 2011, Patrick Dempsey starred in Transformers: Dark of the Moon as Dylan Gould.

September 29, 2012: Cablemás Advertising Campaign

On September 29, 2012, Patrick Dempsey was featured in an advertising campaign by Mexican cable company Cablemás.

2012: Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge

In 2012, Patrick Dempsey competed in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

January 2013: Tully's Coffee Purchase

In January 2013, Patrick Dempsey's company secured the winning bid to purchase Tully's Coffee.

2013: Le Mans Return

In 2013, Patrick Dempsey returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 29th overall and fourth in-class.

2013: Motorsports Dedication

In 2013, Patrick Dempsey stated his desire to dedicate himself full-time to motorsports, even considering leaving acting.

2013: Honorary Doctorate from Bowdoin College

In 2013, Patrick Dempsey was awarded an honorary doctorate by Bowdoin College for his philanthropic work.

2013: Full-Time Racing Ambition

In 2013, before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Patrick Dempsey expressed his desire to compete full-time in racing.

2013: Silhouette Promotion

Starting in 2013, Patrick Dempsey became the face of Silhouette, promoting eyewear fashion.

January 2014: Grey's Anatomy Contract

In January 2014, Patrick Dempsey signed a two-year contract to remain on Grey's Anatomy.

2014: Motor Racing Passion

In 2014, Patrick Dempsey stated that motor racing had become as much a part of who he is as acting.

April 2015: Derek Shepherd's Death on Grey's Anatomy

In April 2015, Patrick Dempsey's character, Derek Shepherd, died on Grey's Anatomy.

2015: Grey's Anatomy Departure

In 2015, Patrick Dempsey concluded his regular role as Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy, though he would later return.

2015: FIA World Endurance Championship

In 2015, Patrick Dempsey participated in the FIA World Endurance Championship with his Dempsey Racing-Proton team.

2016: Bridget Jones's Baby Release

In 2016, Patrick Dempsey starred in Bridget Jones's Baby.

January 2017: Vodafone Italy Appearance

From January 2017, Patrick Dempsey appeared in Italian spots for Vodafone Italy.

May 28, 2017: Honorary Doctorate from Bates College

On May 28, 2017, Patrick Dempsey received an honorary doctorate from Bates College for his philanthropy.

2017: Red Nose Day Actually

In 2017, Patrick Dempsey participated in Red Nose Day Actually, a sequel to Love Actually.

2018: Bleusalt Clothing Line

In 2018, Bleusalt launched a clothing line designed by Patrick Dempsey.

2018: The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair

In 2018, Patrick Dempsey appeared in The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.

2019: The Art of Racing in the Rain Production

In 2019, Patrick Dempsey starred in and produced The Art of Racing in the Rain.

February 4, 2020: Ways & Means Pilot

On February 4, 2020, Patrick Dempsey signed on to star in the CBS political drama pilot Ways & Means.

November 2020: Grey's Anatomy Return After Exit

In November 2020, Patrick Dempsey returned to Grey's Anatomy as Derek Shepherd after his character's death in 2015.

2020: Grey's Anatomy Return

In 2020, Patrick Dempsey reprised his role as Derek Shepherd in Grey's Anatomy for guest appearances.

January 2021: Disenchanted Reprisal

In January 2021, Patrick Dempsey announced he would reprise his role in Disenchanted.

May 2021: CBS Passes on Ways & Means

In May 2021, CBS passed on the pilot Ways & Means starring Patrick Dempsey.

2021: Continued Grey's Anatomy Appearances

In 2021, Patrick Dempsey continued making guest appearances as Derek Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy.

2022: Disenchanted Release

In 2022, Disenchanted was released on Disney+.

2023: Fundraising for Lewiston Shooting Victims

In 2023, Patrick Dempsey helped raise funds for families of the Lewiston shooting victims, participating in a charity softball tournament.

2023: Thanksgiving and Ferrari Roles

In 2023, Patrick Dempsey portrayed Sheriff Eric Newlon in Thanksgiving and Piero Taruffi in Ferrari.

2023: Recent Film Roles

In 2023, Patrick Dempsey starred in Thanksgiving and Ferrari.

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