Ellen Pompeo
News (Page 15)

What makes Grey's Anatomy such a critically-acclaimed, viewer-obsessed sensation? There's great writing and intriguing story lines for sure - but the diverse, entertaining, talented cast is truly what stands out about our favorite program.

To see how these actors mesh away from Seattle Grace Hospital, USA Today recently ran a story on the cast's appearance at the Museum of Television & Radio's 23rd annual William S. Paley Television Festival on Tuesday.

Ten of the show's actors, plus five writers and producers, along with the creator, Shonda Rhimes, filed onstage at the Director's Guild of America to answer questions from a moderator and audience members.

"For us, not having a time slot last year, and now all of you watching ... has been great," Rhimes told the screaming audience, mostly women, at the sold-out event.

Patrick Dempsey, who plays neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd ("McDreamy," to anyone in the know) sat between his two love interests: Kate Walsh, who plays his wife, Dr. Addison Shepherd, and Ellen Pompeo, who portrays intern Meredith Grey. It turned out that Dempsey's real-life heartthrob status made an impression on Rhimes herself.

Dempsey said he had been "completely terrified" of Rhimes during his original audition because she stared at him, "no expression, no warmth," but Rhimes thought otherwise.

"The entire time he was in the room, I thought, 'He's so dreamy,'" she said.

When asked how the cast resembled its characters, Pompeo grinned and pointed at Dempsey.

"I haven't publicly said this before, but I do have a crush on him," Pompeo said.

"Well, I have a crush on you, too," Dempsey, who is married to Jillian Fink, shot back, to sighs and whoops from the audience.

"I've got a crush on both of you. Maybe we can party," Walsh said, laughing.

Continue Reading...

TV Guide recently conducted an interview with the star of Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo. The actress behind Meredith Grey discussed her gypsy soul, her red-carpet style and how she really feels about Meredith and McDreamy.

TV Guide: You've been in movies with Jake Gyllenhaal, Leonardo DiCaprio and Luke Wilson. Why did you switch to TV?
Ellen Pompeo: When there's a very strong female character, it's hard to walk away. In all the great, interesting films, the parts for me were really small, and the only lead parts I could get were in big, giant bad movies â€" except Old School, which turned out to be really funny. This role lets me balance the art and the commerce.

TV Guide: Are there any perks to your job?
Pompeo: Several members of my family have been admitted to the hospital since the show started, and when they feel like the treatment isn't good enough, they say, "Do you know who my niece is?" And suddenly they're in the VIP area, having pedicures in bed.

TV Guide: How much like Meredith Grey are you?
Pompeo: She wasn't much of a student, and that certainly was me. The fact that I'm convincing is a huge triumph for me because I'm not that [kind of] book person. I adore books but on my time and not in a classroom. I was very restless. I'm a gypsy at heart. As soon as I turned 18, I started traveling.

Continue Reading...