Beloved “Grey’s Anatomy” star Patrick Dempsey turned 60 on January 13th, 2026. In honor of his birthday, many fans are wondering: How much has the actor changed over the years? Long before he was Dr. McDreamy, Dempsey was a youngster from Maine trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood.
As one Instagram fan page shows in a special birthday post, the actor has certainly come a long way. Here’s a look at Dempsey before the “Grey’s Anatomy” fame changed his life and career forever.
Young Dempsey Was Just Beginning His Hollywood Career
GettyBefore he became the mega-star he is today, Dempsey got his start in smaller roles in ’80s movies and TV shows. One of his first major roles was in 1987’s “Can’t Buy Me Love,” which cemented him as a fan-favorite. He was just 21 years old when he played the lovable Ronald Miller.
After “Can’t Buy Me Love,” the twenty-something found his way into several more memorable ’80s movies, including the 1989 guilty pleasure film “Loverboy.” The teen comedy also starred Kirstie Alley and “Star Trek: Voyager” star Robert Picardo.
GettyThroughout the early days of his career, Dempsey became known for his signature good looks, including his stunning blue eyes, inviting smile, and tousled hair.
GettyAs his star continued to rise, it was only a matter of time before the biggest role of his career came calling. Dempsey began portraying Dr.ย Derek Shepherd in 2005, and the rest is television history.
The Actor is Still Adored by Fans Beyond ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
GettyThough his “Grey’s Anatomy” days are long behind him, the actor is still adored by fans and shows no signs of slowing down. At 60, he was set to star in Fox’s upcoming series “Memory of a Killer,” with a late January 2026 premiere date.
Outside of work, Dempsey also continued pursuing two other passions: race car driving and being a champion for those facing cancer. In 2008, he founded The Dempsey Center, which provides no-cost cancer treatments. The actor took inspiration from his mother’s struggles with ovarian cancer in creating the center. “In the world weย live in right now, thatโs so divisiveย and so divided,” he told Maine the Magazine in 2017, “When you haveย a center like this, itโs symbolic ofย what our community is and theย wellness of our own community.”
