Patrick Dempsey Reveals Reasons for Leaving Grey’s Anatomy
Patrick Dempsey recently discussed his departure from the popular medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. The actor, best known for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd, left the series in 2015 after nearly a decade on air. Dempsey was part of the original cast when the show launched in 2005 and has since reflected on his reasons for exiting.
Reasons Behind Patrick Dempsey’s Departure from Grey’s Anatomy
Dempsey explained that it was simply “time to walk away.” During an appearance on ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show, he shared that he wanted to pursue his passion for racing. Specifically, he had an opportunity to compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), a prestigious international sportscar racing league. Dempsey achieved significant success here, including a first-place finish in a six-hour endurance race in Japan.
Although he left Grey’s Anatomy, Dempsey expressed gratitude for the platform it provided. He remarked that the show inspired many young individuals to enter the medical field, a positive outcome he values highly.
Personal Reflections and Charity Work
In his personal life, Dempsey has chosen to keep his children away from the spotlight of Grey’s Anatomy. He described them as “very direct” regarding their opinions about his work. Dempsey noted, “I didn’t really expose them to the show. I kept them as far away as possible.”
His experience in the show has also impacted his philanthropic efforts. Dempsey founded a cancer treatment center in his hometown of Lewiston, Maine, known as the Dempsey Centre. The center offers holistic support to cancer patients, providing services such as nutritional care, counseling, and fitness classes. Dempsey’s inspiration came from his mother’s battle with ovarian cancer, which spanned over twelve recurrences. He emphasized, “We don’t treat the disease; we treat the person holistically.”
Continuing His Career
In addition to his charity work, Dempsey continues to act. He stars in the US crime drama Memory of a Killer, where he portrays a character leading a double life as both a family man and a hit man. Furthermore, he was recently named the “sexiest man alive” by People magazine in 2023, a title he described as “quite a shock” at this point in his life.
Fans of Dempsey can catch his appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show, airing Saturday at 9:25 PM on ITV1 and ITVX.
