History of Patrick Dempsey in Timeline
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.
January 13, 1966: Patrick Dempsey's Birth
On January 13, 1966, Patrick Galen Dempsey was born. He is an American actor and racing driver.
1981: Jugglers' Championship
In 1981, Patrick Dempsey achieved second place at the International Jugglers' Association Championship in the Juniors category.
August 24, 1987: Marriage to Rochelle "Rocky" Parker
On August 24, 1987, Patrick Dempsey married his manager, actress and acting coach, Rochelle "Rocky" Parker.
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.
April 26, 1994: Divorce from Rochelle "Rocky" Parker
On April 26, 1994, Patrick Dempsey divorced Rochelle "Rocky" Parker.
1995: Outbreak Film
In 1995, Patrick Dempsey took a dramatic role in the film Outbreak.
1997: Amanda Dempsey's Cancer Diagnosis
In 1997, Patrick Dempsey's mother, Amanda, was diagnosed with cancer.
July 31, 1999: Marriage to Jillian Fink
On July 31, 1999, Patrick Dempsey married makeup artist Jillian Fink.
2001: Emmy Nomination
In 2001, Patrick Dempsey received an Emmy nomination for his role as Aaron Brooks in Once & Again.
2002: Sweet Home Alabama Role
In 2002, Patrick Dempsey had a role as the fiancé in Sweet Home Alabama.
2003: Love Actually Release
In 2003, the romantic comedy Love Actually was released.
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.
2005: Sexiest Men Alive
In 2005, People magazine ranked Patrick Dempsey second in its annual list of "Sexiest Men Alive".
2006: Golden Globe Nomination
In 2006, Patrick Dempsey was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in Grey's Anatomy.
2006: Sexiest Men Alive
In 2006, People magazine ranked Patrick Dempsey second in its annual list of "Sexiest Men Alive".
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: Dyslexia Discussion
In 2008, Patrick Dempsey discussed his dyslexia with Barbara Walters, explaining how it shaped his perspective and drive.
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: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Purchase
In 2009, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters bought Tully's online business.
2009: Le Mans Debut
In 2009, Patrick Dempsey debuted at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
2010: Valentine's Day Appearance
In 2010, Patrick Dempsey appeared in Valentine's Day.
2010: FiFi Award
In 2010, Patrick Dempsey's fragrance was recognized as the "Men's Private Label/Direct Sell" for the FiFi Awards.
2011: TV's Sexiest Men Ranking
In 2011, BuddyTV ranked Patrick Dempsey #1 on its list of TV's Sexiest Men.
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.
March 24, 2014: Amanda Dempsey's Death
On March 24, 2014, Patrick Dempsey's mother, Amanda, died at age 79.
2014: Motor Racing Passion
In 2014, Patrick Dempsey stated that motor racing had become as much a part of who he is as acting.
2014: Death of Rochelle "Rocky" Parker
In 2014, Rochelle "Rocky" Parker, Patrick Dempsey's ex-wife, passed away.
January 2015: Jillian Fink Filed for Divorce
In January 2015, Jillian Fink filed for divorce from Patrick Dempsey, though they later reconciled.
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.
November 12, 2016: Divorce Called Off
On November 12, 2016, Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink called off their divorce.
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+.
November 2023: Sexiest Man Alive
In November 2023, Patrick Dempsey was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive".
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.
2023: People's Sexiest Man Alive
In 2023, Patrick Dempsey was named People's Sexiest Man Alive.
