The 'Grey's Anatomy' Cast Has Changed A LOT Over 15 Years
Patrick Dempsey's still super dreamy, tho.
Believe it or not, Grey's Anatomy has been on the air for 15 years (um, where did the time go?). ICYMI, it first debuted on ABC in 2005. Since then, some of the same cast has come and gone—but some have stuck around through every plotline. And on Thursday, February 28, 2019, Grey's will surpass ER as the longest-running medical drama on television (WOW).
But before you tune in tonight, here's a refresher on what the original Grey's Anatomy cast members were doing way back when they got their big breaks—and what they're all up to now.
Ellen Pompeo, aka Meredith Grey
Then: Ellen Pompeo was a relatively unknown actress whose "breakout" movie role as Bertie Knox in 2002's Moonlight Mile pretty much went nowhere. Shonda Rhimes gave Ellen her real big break with the leading role on Grey's Anatomy. And the rest is history.
Now: She's dramatic television's highest-earning actress, taking home a cool $20 mil a year (meaning $575,000 per Grey's episode). She credits boss and mentor Shonda with empowering her over the years to get to this point, showing her—and the rest of Grey's Anatomy fam—major love on Instagram. Off-camera, she's married Chris Ivery and has three kids, Sienna, Stella, and Eli.
Patrick Dempsey, aka Derek Shepherd
Then: After his breakout film role at age 21 in Can't Buy Me Love, Patrick's career was basically made up of roles in smaller movies and walk-on roles in TV shows. He didn't come across another hit until he became neurosurgeon Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd Grey's Anatomy in 2005. Becoming primetime TV's heartthrob led to a career resurgence on both the small and silver screen with Enchanted and Freedom Writers (both 2007).
Now: After 11 seasons on Grey's, Patrick left in 2015. Today, he's a dad to 12-year-old sons, Darby and Sullivan, and has been married to his wife Jillian Fink for more than 19 years. But he hasn't left the medical field completely behind—he also raises money for cancer patients through the Dempsey Center.
Sandra Oh, aka Cristina Yang
Then: Before Grey’s Anatomy, Sandra Oh was probably best known for her (iconic) role as Vice Principal Gupta in The Princess Diaries (2001). She'd been acting in TV shows and made-for-TV movies since 1989, including some voice acting roles, but it wasn't until 2005 that she became America's "person."
Now: She left the show in 2014, but recently found success in the hit dramatic thriller TV show, Killing Eve. Oh, and not only did she win the Best Actress Golden Globe in 2019, but she also hosted the awards show with Andy Samberg. So yeah, I guess you could say Sandra Oh is killing it these days.
Justin Chambers, aka Alex Karev
Then: Like his fellow Grey's cast members, Justin mostly had small roles on TV shows and made-for-TV movies before getting his big break as Alex Karev. But he notably played Massimo in The Wedding Planner alongside Jennifer Lopez in 2001, so not too shabby.
Now: Justin's character Alex graduated from surgical intern to pediatric surgeon, so he's still a key part of the Grey's Anatomy cast. On the show, he's married to Jo Wilson (played by Camilla Luddington.)
IRL, he married his wife Keisha in 1993, and they have 5 children: Kaila, Maya, Jackson, Isabella, and Eva.
Katherine Heigl, aka Izzie Stevens
Then: While Katherine started acting in 1992, her only major role before Grey's Anatomy was as Isabel Evans on TV show Roswell from 1999 to 2002. Once she became Izzie Stevens, however, Katherine became a household name and went on to star in major films like Knocked Up (2007) and 27 Dresses (2008).
Now: Katherine played surgeon Izzie Stevens for five seasons before leaving the show in 2010. Since then, she's adopted two daughters (Naleigh and Adelaide), had one biological son (Joshua), and married musician Josh Kelley. She's continued to act in movies and on TV, most recently starring in Meghan Markle's former show, Suits.
Kate Walsh, aka Addison Montgomery
Then: After playing Jenny on TV show Norm in 2001 and Nicki Fifer, Drew Carey's co-worker then on-again-off again love interest in The Drew Carey Show from 1997 to 2002. She also had a few small recurring roles in other TV shows and movies, but getting cast as Addison Montgomery—Derek Shepherd's estranged wife—Grey's Anatomy changed everything for her.
Now: Kate was only on Grey's Anatomy for three seasons before she got her own spinoff show, Private Practice, which aired from 2007 to 2013.
She's since launched her own perfume called "Boyfriend" and starred in the Netflix shows The Umbrella Academy and 13 Reasons Why.
James Pickens Jr., aka Richard Webber (Chief)
Then: Unlike the rest of the Grey's Anatomy cast, James was already a pretty well-known TV star before he became a part of Shondaland. He played Henry Thomas on Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991-1992), Lt. Joe Abner on NYPD Blue (1993-2000), and Detective Mike McKrew on The Practice (1997-2000).
Now: He's still part of the Grey's Anatomy cast! While he once played the love interest of Meredith Grey's mom, he's currently married to Jackson Avery's (played by Jessie Williams) mother, Catherine (played by Debbie Allen).
When he's not working, he enjoys attending rodeos and is a self-proclaimed cowboy.
Chandra Wilson, aka Miranda Bailey
Then: Chandra got her start on The Cosby Show, playing Dina in one 1989 episode. From there, she mostly had one-episode roles, but they were in some hit TV shows like Sex and the City and The Sopranos. As with so many of her costars, Grey's Anatomy took her acting career to the next level.
Now: Chandra still plays a lead role in the Grey's Anatomy cast. She's even appeared in a few Grey's spinoffs: Private Practice, Station 19, and Grey's Anatomy: B-Team.
Outside of work, she's also a mother who's advocated for a cure for her daughter's illness, cyclical vomiting syndrome.
T.R. Knight, aka George O'Malley
Then: T.R.'s biggest role pre-Grey's was Ryan Lemming on Charlie Lawrence, and he also had one-episode parts on Frasier, Law & Order, and CSI. Playing George O' Malley on Grey's Anatomy was his first multiple-season role.
Now: T.R. played George O'Malley for five years before leaving due to 'creative differences' (with Shonda, how?!). He later joined the show The Catch, also produced by the Grey's creator, and reprised his role on Grey's for one episode in 2018. After ending his first stint on Grey's, he was in The Good Wife and, most recently, was in National Geographic's Genius: Picasso.
Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS, Men's Health, and Prevention magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in Women's Health, Runner's World, PEOPLE, and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.
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