Patrick Galen Dempsey (born January 13, 1966)[1] is an American actor and racing driver. He is best known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd in the ABC medical drama series Grey’s Anatomy (2005–2015; 2020–2021). He is also known for his leading man romantic films roles, including in Enchanted (2007). Dempsey has received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, and was named as People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2023.[2]

Dempsey started his career acting in films such as Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) and Loverboy (1989). He has since starred in several romantic comedy films such as Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Made of Honor (2008), Valentine’s Day (2010), and Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016). Dempsey has also taken dramatic roles in Outbreak (1995), Scream 3 (2000), Freedom Writers (2007), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), Thanksgiving (2023), and Ferrari (2023). He starred in and produced Flypaper (2011), and The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019).

Dempsey, who maintains a sports car and vintage car collection, enjoys auto racing in his spare time. He has competed in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car races, and the Ensenada SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. Prior to the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans, Dempsey declared that he would “walk away” from acting if he could and dedicate himself full-time to motorsports.[3]