ACTORS & Skin: Patrick Dempsey

'When you discover first love as a teenager, your whole life revolves around it and you open yourself up to it.'

Patrick Dempsey

Last year, I was surprised that actor Patrick Dempsey was named People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.  It's not that he didn't deserve it, it's just that People seems to be 'delayed' with some of their choices.  Dempsey was really at the top of his 'Sexy' game, at least when it came to the press, during his first few years on Grey's Anatomy.  He and the cast were everywhere in the press in the shows early days.   

I guess it made sense, I don't think the Magazine's picks are actually chosen, but more negotiated with certain actors, especially ones looking for the publicly, and who will do an exclusive photo shoot and interview. I actually started this Actors & Skin piece after the magazine came out, but put it aside as I lost a bit of interest. 

My interest, and my love of Dempsey has fluctuated over the years.  I love him in all those 80's and 90's comedies and rom coms I saw him in on VHS when growing up in the 80's and 90's.  Unfortunately, Dempsey got a lot of bad press during his days on Greys, and I ended up thinking he was a bit of a self-centered ass.  But... who knows with the press, reading too much about anyone in the public eye, especially someone you like, is never really a great idea.

I wanted to go ahead however, as I have great respect for Dempsey as an actor, and the career he's managed to maintain for close to 40 years now.  Not many actors who begin their professional career in their late teens are able to sustain it, still getting leads in films and on television forty years later.

I don't think Dempsey actually gets the respect he deserves from the industry.  Despite his longevity, he still often ends up with 'sloppy seconds' when it comes to roles. Romantic leads in sequels, when the original actor doesn't return, or the runner-up in lesser coveted roles, when they can't get an A lister.  Yet, Dempsey keeps on working, and delivers everytime.

I also have great respect for Dempsey's transition from playing Duckie Dale roles, to playing Blaine roles.  Most of Dempsey's roles in the 80's were geeky, glass wearing nerds, often the virgin who was awkward around females.  By the time the 90's rolled around, he was playing romantic leads, leaving the glasses, and the geeky roles in the rear view mirror.

Some of my favorite roles that Dempsey took on were the first ones that I saw.  In addition to those 80's teen comedies, I also really loved his turns on television, including the mini-series, A Season in Purgatory.  I think that was one of the first time I saw Dempsey in a dramatic role.  I also have a fondness for his guest appearances on television, especially his turn as Aaron Brooks on Once & Again.

Despite his many years, and film success, it was his turn as Derek on Grey's Anatomy that really propelled Dempsey to stardom.   I loved Greys in it's early years, but basically left shortly after Izzie and Alex's wedding, and so many of my favorites left.  

Although I enjoy Dempsey, I was never a huge fan of Meredith, therefore making it hard to root for their love story.   Given Meredith is the Grey in Greys, not liking the title character made it tough to watch after awhile. Still those early years were great, and Dempsey's first scene, (below) was memorable.

Speaking of memorable scenes, check out the two Skin parts of this Actors & Skin piece, featuring Dempsey's nude scenes in the 1980's and 1990's below.