Patrick Galen Dempsey is an American actor and race car driver, best known for his role as
neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on
Grey's Anatomy. He saw early success as an actor, starring in a number of films in his early 20s, including
Can't Buy Me Love (1987) and
Loverboy (1989). In the 1990s, he mostly appeared in smaller roles in film, such as
Outbreak (1995), and television, before landing a lead role in
Sweet Home Alabama (2002), a surprise box office hit. He has since then starred in a number of other films, including
Enchanted,
Made of Honor,
Valentine's Day,
Flypaper,
Freedom Writers and .