Patrick Dempsey has lived two charming but separate lives on film and television. From an exuberant, somewhat awkward charmer in college comedy films of the late 1980s and early 1990s, he has morphed spectacularly into a dreamy, wavy-haired television hunk of the new-age millennium and this seductive new image has since spilled off into romantic lead roles back on the large screen as a slightly offbeat, self-effacing Prince Charming type.
Patrick Galen Dempsey was born on January 13, 1966 in Lewiston, Maine, to M. Amanda (Casson) and William Allen Dempsey. He is the youngest of three. His father, an insurance agent, and his mother, a school secretary, raised the children in Buckfield (Maine). His parents were both originally from Pennsylvania, and he has German, English, and Scottish ancestry ("Dempsey" was the surname of his step-grandfather). Patrick, who was diagnosed as dyslexic (he has to fully memorize his scripts), attended St. Dominic Regional High School but dropped out before graduating.
Always interested in entertainment, Patrick studied juggling and entered several competitions. Acting was also a natural for him and, at age 15, he earned the role of the rebellious son in a Maine production of "On Golden Pond". Two years later, he won a prime role as David, the gay teen, in the 哈维·费斯特恩 play "Torch Song Trilogy", spending several months touring the San Francisco area with the show. In between he, found supplementary gigs dancing and juggling. More opportunities came his way after winning the protagonist role of 尼尔·西蒙's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" that toured in 1984. Directed by the renowned comedy favorite 吉恩·萨克斯, Dempsey started looking at the possibility of film work.
He made his movie debut in the secondary part of a Catholic student in the 1960s-era school-age comedy 天主教男孩 (1985) starring "Brat Pack" actor 安德鲁·麦卡锡. More silliness followed with 肉丸3 (1986) and a ripe turn in the socially aware television-movie The Magical World of Disney: A Fighting Choice (1986) in which he played an epileptic teen who sues his parents (博·布里奇斯 and 凯伦·瓦伦汀) in order to have risky brain surgery. Around the same time, he found himself in a television series entitled Fast Times (1986), based on the ultimate school-age film 开放的美国学府 (1982), which made a star out of 西恩·潘. Inheriting the 罗伯特·罗农斯 cool guy role of con artist Mike Damone, expectations were far too big and the television series died a quick death.
However, his movie career got on a faster track and he scored well co-starring with the worldly 比佛莉·德安姬罗 in the movie 师奶杀手 (1987), as a young man who makes headlines pursuing older women. Life resembled art that same year when Patrick married actress and drama coach 洛基·帕克, who played a bit part in the film. He was 21 and she was 48. By this time, his trademark cuteness and appeal started taking shape. The youthful 21-year old Patrick played a nerd role next in the very funny high school comedy 爱是非卖品 (1987) with Amanda Peterson. A movie favorite for many, Patrick had reached the peak of his early career popularity. He showed a more serious side in the World War II-era drama 亲蜜敌人 (1988), which presented a Cyrano de Bergerac-like storyline with Patrick as the Christian de Neuvillette counterpart, but then he went straight back to familiar territory with the college-themed comedies 我该爱哪个女孩 (1988) with 詹妮弗·康纳利, 爱情快递生 (1989), and 宿舍筑爱巢 (1989).
Stretching more in the 1990s, Patrick co-starred on stage in a 1991 production of "The Subject Was Roses" (playing the 马丁·辛 film role) as the World War II soldier readjusting to civilian life with his parents (丹娜·爱薇 and "Frasier" co-star John Mahoney). Films included the cross-country comedy-drama 手足三人组 (1990), the action thriller 逃亡煞星 (1991), 四海一家 (1991), in which he made a stab at playing major Mafioso Meyer Lansky, 弹唱姻缘 (1993) opposite "Brat Pack" femme 莫利·林沃德, the title role in 坏比利 (1993), and the 马克·吐温 family-geared Ava's Magical Adventure (1994), co-directed by Patrick and wife Rocky. However, the couple divorced that same year. On television, Patrick played a young John Fitzgerald Kennedy in the miniseries 肯尼迪:激情年代 (1993), Pierre Arronax in the television remake of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1997), and Raskolnikov in a small screen version of 罪与罚 (1998). The rest of the decade on film was less newsworthy with co-starring or featured movie roles in 雨果池 (1997), 心魔 (1998), 生活快车道 (1998) and 我和威尔 (1999).
It was television that gave Patrick a shot in the arm as he progressed into the new millennium. A recurring role as Will's closeted sportscaster amour in the sitcom Will & Grace (1998) presented Patrick in a more mature, wry and sexier fashion. Another recurring role in Once and Again (1999) earned him a dramatic Emmy nomination in 2001 as Outstanding Guest Actor, and a third on The Practice (1997) was also extremely well-received. While the romantic comedy film 情归阿拉巴马 (2002) opposite 瑞茜·威瑟斯彭 really nailed the direction Dempsey was headed, the medical series 实习医生格蕾 第一季 (2005), as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka "Dr. McDreamy"), gave distaff audiences the whole heartthrob package. The perfect vehicle to showcase his undeniable charisma and sharp talent for offbeat comedy, he is a two-time Golden Globe nominee and his popularity has absolutely skyrocketed. This reawakening has also swung the door open again on high-profile film offers, registering with the ladies once again in a number of light leading man parts, notably 魔法奇缘 (2007) and 新郎不是我 (2008).
Off-camera, Dempsey married a second time in 1999, to make-up artist and Delux Beauty founder Jillian Dempsey. The couple have three children: daughter, Tallulah Fyfe (born 2002), and twin sons Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick (born 2007). An avid sports car racer (he has participated in the Indianapolis and Daytona Beach events), he showed off a more humanitarian side when he started the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing in his hometown of Lewiston after his mother developed ovarian cancer. Befittingly, he has produced a sexy men's fragrance line by Avon called "Unscripted".
Lived in Buckfield, Maine, and attended Buckfield High School.
As a teenager, placed third in his age group at the National Jugglers Convention. Aspired to attend Clown College.
At the time of his first marriage, he was 21 and his bride was 48.
Enjoys collecting antiques, remodeling homes, and skiing in his spare time.
Attended St. Dominic's Regional High School in his hometown of Lewiston, Maine.
In his first marriage, with 洛基·帕克, he had a stepson who is a year older than he is.
His first wife, 洛基·帕克, is the mother of his best friend, actor 科里·帕克, and Noelle Parker.
Daughter, Tallula Fyfe Dempsey (born February 20, 2002) with then-wife Jillian Dempsey.
Auditioned for the role of "Dr. Gregory House" on House M.D. (2004).
Currently co-owner of Indycar Series team Vision Racing (February 2006)
Then-wife Jillian Dempsey, gave birth to twin boys, Darby Galen Dempsey and Sullivan Patrick Dempsey, on February 1, 2007.
Voted #13 in Elle (France) Magazine's "15 Sexiest Men" poll (June 2007).
Tried out for the role of Duckie in 红粉佳人 (1986).
Driver of Pace Car at 91st Indianapolis 500; May 27, 2007.
(May 20, 2008) Visited Amsterdam during the European promotion tour for 新郎不是我 (2008).
As a teenager growing up in Maine, he was a state champion downhill skier who trained for a place on the Olympic team.
Visited Sao Paulo, Brazil for the launch of his second fragrance Patrick Dempsey 2, exclusive for Avon. [May 2010]
In 2006, Dempsey admitted that he was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 12 years old.
On his father's side, Patrick has German, English, Scottish, and distant Swedish, ancestry. Patrick's father was born with the surname "Schlossnagle", and later took his own stepfather's surname, "Dempsey".
Driving a Panoz GTS race car in the Panoz GT Pro Racing Series. He was seen participating in race #2 of the 2004 racing season at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on June 27, 2004. [June 2004]
Patrick Dempsey trained in the Meisner technique with Joanne Baron.
Jillian Dempsey filed for divorce in January 2015. The couple confirmed that they are back together a year later, in January 2016.
His team, Dempsey Racing, finished second in the 2015 hours of Le Mans.
Wavy dark brown hair
