Patrick Dempsey

Patrick grew up an extrovert, with an almost inate love of performing for an audience. His first (slight) taste of fame came when he came second in a national juggling talent competition.

In the 1980s, Dempsey was a very hot property in Hollywood, staring in the hugely successful rom-coms like Can’t Buy Me Love and Loverboy. In 1987 he married his best friend’s mom, 27 years his senior, raising many an eyebrow.

Over the next few years Patrick’s acting career took a distinct downturn, and at the same time his marriage unraveled. When they finally divorced, Patrick was at an all time professional low, relying on infrequent appearances in second-rate TV dramas to pay his wages.

Happily Patrick’s star was set to rise again. He met and married the Hollywood make-up artist Jill Fink, who helped to instill into him a new sense of self-confidence and determination.

Better and bigger parts came, and then the jackpot – a staring part in the hit TV series Grey’s Anatomy, as Dr Derek Shepherd. Patrick reputedly earned over $200,000 per ep.