With his piercing blue eyes, deeply sculpted dimples, and mop of hair, Patrick Dempsey certainly has the looks to succeed in the entertainment business. He also has numerous talents. For close to 20 years, we've seen him star in movies Imdb.com like Can't Buy Me Love (1987), Sweet Alabama (2002) and Made of Honor (2008). His pretty faced has also graced the small screen, most notably on the hospital drama Grey's Anatomy, where he plays Dr. Derek Shepherd, affectionately known as Dr. McDreamy.
A Pretty Face, A Heart of Gold
Dempsey may be handsome, and he may be a star, yet he has great depth. There are a few things about him that are not as widely known as his wink or pectoral muscles are. In his younger years, Dempsey was a downhill skiing champion, and a top finisher in the National Jugglers competition. In the 2008 movie Made of Honor, Dempsey shows off his skills as a juggler, while china shopping with the bride. Today, he is often seen racing cars as well.
Beyond those talents, Dempsey is a philanthropist. The actor has endowed hospitals, chaired and participated in numerous fundraisers, and even taken homeless animals under his wing. During a recent appearance on the Ellen talk show Dempsey talked about some of these off-camera exploits.
A Cancer Center in His Hometown of Lewiston Maine
Patric Dempsey was born in Lewiston, Maine. Soon he was a gangly teen, today he is a hunk. Dempsey has strong ties to his hometown, where he established The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing, a special research and treatment center for cancer at Central Maine Medical Center.
The move was inspired by his mother who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1997, and faced several bouts of the disease. Ms. Dempsey is a proud cancer survivor, yet her ordeal gave the family valuable lessons. It taught them the importance of education, quality care, and committed caregivers, as well as the necessity of resources for locating them.
BIke Races for Cancer and other Fundraisers
Today, Dempsey continues to support the cancer cause. The hospital he endowed keeps expanding. He has also participated in many nationwide fund-raising projects, such as the bike races Lance Armstrong uses to sustaikn cancer care and research.
Saving Dogs, Cats and a Tortoise
Dempsey's philanthropy with animals is recognized among both show biz and animal rescue circles, such as petfinder. This September, the dimpled dreamy one took in an 83 pound African tortoise that had been hit by a car. He is also the caretaker of a kitten and some puppies, including the two labs his wife, make up artist Jillian fink, found abandoned.
Heartthrob with a Heart
Actor Patrick Dempsey may be known for his trademark cuteness, but there is much more to him than that. He's talented, versatile, and a philanthropist. Readers should applaud his character, and his brave effort to solve the cancer conundrum. People might also want to emulate his effort to save, foster or adopt lost or homeless animals..
Jeri Dayle-Rabinowitz - Jeri Dayle is a writer mom, or should I say a mom writer? I worked in advertising both full and part-time while raising my family, jobs ...
