Patrick Dempsey Net Worth

What is Patrick Dempsey's Net Worth and Salary?

Patrick Dempsey is an American actor, producer, and race car driver who has a net worth of $85 million. Patrick Dempsey first gained recognition in the 1980s with a string of youthful film roles that established him as a charming leading man, most notably in romantic comedies that leaned into his affable, boyish appeal. During this early phase, Dempsey became a familiar face in Hollywood, though his career momentum slowed in the 1990s as he took on a mix of supporting roles and television work.

Dempsey's career resurgence came in 2005 when he was cast as neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy. The role transformed him into a global star and earned him the enduring nickname "McDreamy." Over more than a decade on the series, Dempsey became one of television's most recognizable leading men, receiving multiple award nominations and helping anchor one of the longest-running and most successful primetime dramas in television history.

Outside of television, Dempsey maintained a steady presence in film, appearing in romantic comedies, dramas, and family-friendly projects, including roles in "Enchanted," "Made of Honor," and "Sweet Home Alabama." His performances often emphasized warmth and emotional accessibility, reinforcing his reputation as a dependable romantic lead.

Beyond acting, Dempsey developed a serious parallel career in professional auto racing. A lifelong motorsports enthusiast, he competed in high-profile endurance races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and co-owned a professional racing team. In later years, he expanded into producing and returned to high-profile film roles, including appearances in major studio franchises. Collectively, Patrick Dempsey's career reflects an uncommon blend of sustained mainstream success, reinvention, and personal passion pursued at an elite level.

Patrick Dempsey Grey's Anatomy Salary

Patrick appeared in 243 of "Grey's Anatomy's" 366 episodes. At his peak, Patrick Dempsey's salary per episode of Grey's Anatomy was $350,000. That worked out to around $8 million per season.

Early Life

Patrick Dempsey was born Patrick Galen Dempsey on January 13, 1966, in Lewiston, Maine. He was raised in the nearby towns of Turner and Buckfield by his mother, Amanda, a school secretary, and his father, William, an insurance salesman. He grew up alongside his older sisters, Mary and Alicia, and has a half-brother named Shane.

At age 12, Dempsey was diagnosed with dyslexia, a challenge that shaped much of his early academic experience. He attended Buckfield High School, St. Dominic Regional High School, and later Willowridge High School in Houston. He ultimately dropped out during his senior year to pursue acting full time. Years later, in 2014, Bowdoin College awarded him an honorary doctorate in humanities, a nod that carried symbolic significance since Bowdoin was also the alma mater of his "Grey's Anatomy" character. Following that honor, St. Dominic Regional High School formally granted Dempsey his high school diploma.

Outside academics, Dempsey developed an unusual early talent as a competitive juggler. In 1981, he placed second in the Juniors category at the International Jugglers' Association Championship, a reminder of the performance instincts he would later channel into acting.

Stage Work and Early Screen Roles

Dempsey's acting career began on stage, touring with a production of Harvey Fierstein's "Torch Song Trilogy." He followed that with a lead role in Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs," gaining valuable experience as a young performer working in demanding theatrical roles.

His first film appearance came in 1985 with an uncredited role in "The Stuff." That same year, he appeared in "Heaven Help Us," followed by roles in "A Fighting Choice" and "Meatballs III: Summer Job." He also had a brief run on the short-lived television series "Fast Times," based on the film "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." While none of these projects made him a star, they positioned him as a recognizable young actor with leading-man potential.

1980s Breakthrough and Leading Man Status

Dempsey's major breakthrough arrived in 1987 with the romantic comedy "Can't Buy Me Love," which turned him into a teen idol and firmly established him as a box office draw. He capitalized on that momentum with a string of leading roles throughout the late 1980s, including "In the Mood," "Some Girls," "Loverboy," and "Happy Together."

As his career matured, Dempsey began taking on more serious roles. He earned critical praise for portraying Meyer Lansky in the 1991 crime drama "Mobsters" and starred as John F. Kennedy in the 1993 miniseries "JFK: Reckless Youth." In 1994, he directed and starred in "Ava's Magical Adventure," and in 1995, he appeared in the blockbuster thriller "Outbreak," which grossed nearly $190 million worldwide.

Career Reset and Pre-Grey's Years

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dempsey transitioned into a mix of film and television roles. He appeared in "Scream 3" as Detective Mark Kincaid and had a memorable three-episode arc as Will Truman's boyfriend on "Will & Grace." He continued working steadily in films such as "Sweet Home Alabama," "The Emperor's Club," and the HBO historical drama "Iron Jawed Angels."

While these projects kept him visible, they also reflected a period of reinvention as Dempsey moved away from teen-heartthrob roles toward more grounded, adult characters.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Grey's Anatomy and Global Stardom

In 2005, Dempsey's career reached a new level when he was cast as Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd on the ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." The show became a massive hit, and Dempsey emerged as one of television's most recognizable leading men. He appeared in 243 episodes over 11 seasons and reprised the role on the spin-off series "Private Practice."

The character's eventual death in season 11 was one of the most talked-about moments in the show's history, cementing Dempsey's lasting association with the series. His performance earned multiple award nominations and helped anchor one of the longest-running and most successful primetime dramas ever produced.

Film Work During and After Television Success

While starring on "Grey's Anatomy," Dempsey remained active in film, appearing in "Freedom Writers," "Enchanted," "Made of Honor," and "Flypaper," which he also produced. He also had a role in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," which grossed more than $1.1 billion worldwide.

After leaving the series, Dempsey continued balancing film and television work. He appeared in "Bridget Jones's Baby," starred in the miniseries "The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair," and produced the family drama "The Art of Racing in the Rain." He later became a series regular on the international drama "Devils" and took on producing and starring roles in additional television projects.

(Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Racing Career

Dempsey has pursued auto racing with the same seriousness he brought to acting. A lifelong motorsports enthusiast, he owns Dempsey Racing and previously co-owned the Vision Racing IndyCar Series team. He has competed in elite endurance and pro-am events, including the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Baja 1000, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

His racing accomplishments include a second-place finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GTE Am class in 2015 and a third-place finish in the American Le Mans Series LMP2 class in 2012, achievements that set him apart from most celebrity racers.

JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images

Personal Life

Dempsey married his former manager, Rochelle Parker, in 1987, and the marriage ended in divorce in 1994. In 1999, he married makeup artist and hairstylist Jillian Fink. The couple has three children: daughter Talula and twin sons Darby and Sullivan. After filing for divorce in 2015, Dempsey and Fink reconciled later that year.

Following his mother's long battle with cancer, Dempsey founded the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in Maine. He also launched the annual Dempsey Challenge, a fundraising event that has raised millions of dollars for cancer care and support services.

Patrick and Jill Fink (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Awards and Honors

Dempsey won a Young Artist Award for "Can't Buy Me Love" and later received multiple People's Choice Awards for his work on "Grey's Anatomy." He shared a Screen Actors Guild Award with the show's cast and earned additional honors for guest roles on "Will & Grace" and "Once and Again." In 2005, he was ranked #2 in People magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive" issue, further cementing his pop culture status.

Real Estate

Patrick Dempsey previously owned a house in the hills above Zuma Beach in Malibu, California. Dempsey's former Malibu home spans 5,547 square feet, with three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, a 20-foot by 20-foot central skylight, a formal living area, a fireplace, two offices, and reclaimed wide plank wood floors. The home has a V-shaped galley-style kitchen with concrete countertops, the kitchen opening into a large breakfast area with a nearby elevated den. A wall of windows looks out into the garden with a cobblestone terrace that features an outdoor cooking area. Patrick and his wife bought the Malibu home in 2009 for $7 million and sold it to billionaire Sid Bass for $15 million in 2015. Below is a video tour Patrick gave for Architectural Digest:

• In 2006, Patrick and Jillian paid $3.1 million for a home in Bel Air. They sold this home for $2.571 million in 2009.
• In 2014, Dempsey and Fink paid $1.925 million for a home in the Venice Beach area.
• They bought a 4,415-square-foot mansion in Malibu for $6.4 million in 2016.

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