7 Questions with Patrick Dempsey

Here are 5 things you should know about Dempsey: 1) Dempsey is an Irish/American Golden Globe-nominated actor and son of an insurance agent. 2) He appeared on MTV’s Overnight Success by Teri DeSario where he danced and juggled. 3) In his spare time, Dempsey races cars and will be competing in 5 of the 12 Rolex Sports Car Series events. He’s also co-owner of a IndyCar Series team, Vision Racing. 4) He models for Versace and is launching a fragrance with Avon, due out November 2008. 5) He’s best known for his role on Grey’s Anatomy where his character is referred to as, “McDreamy.” 

Zimbio: How happy are you that Derek and Meredith are back together again?
Patrick Dempsey: Who knows? Are they? I’m so spun out over that. I don't know if it’s me or the character at this point. It’s funny. I’m excited. I just hope we keep moving forward and keep the stories fresh and we don’t do what is predictable. I think that’s going to be the challenge. That's what it's going to be to keep that audience watching. 

Zimbio: How important do you think it was to come back after the strike, do more of the season right away and not wait until after summer?
PD: I think it’s really important. You notice there was a real dip in the ratings across the board for television because the audience has been lost because of the strike. It has been damaging and I think also the Internet, people were downloading the shows too. It’s going to be interesting to see if we get some momentum going into the next six shows. We have to gain the trust of the audience again and they have to fall back into the storylines and get reconnected.

Zimbio: What's going on on the set?
PD: I think we have so much work to do right now that people are just trying to survive the days, because the network and the studio wanted to have more products so they forced us to do a two-parter. That caught everybody by surprise so we’re doing two units, shooting everything in 16 hour days. The thing is just trying to stay fresh, especially at the end of the day where you’re not giving up on the scenes, you’re working really hard. It’s like [we have to] finish strong. It’s like all these things you can do to keep yourself mentally focused and don't forget how important it is. You’re in this little environment and you don’t realize the impact outside of that environment, so you have to stay really focused and work hard and do it for the sake of doing it. Don’t forget to be really grateful that you have that opportunity. That’s the thing I keep reminding myself. Don’t forget that.  
Zimbio: Is the atmosphere behind the scenes better this year, since all the controversy is behind you?
PD: I think so. I think everybody is dealing with things differently. I can only sort of control my own feelings about it. 

Zimbio: How are you dealing with this rejuvenation of your career?   
PD: I’m dealing with it great. I love it. [Laughs] I am. The thing is I just want to be thankful and not forget how difficult it is to be in this position. You have a moment, and you have to really appreciate it. I just really want to appreciate what’s happening, enjoy the moment now and hopefully have more opportunities in the future. I'm really enjoying the work more than ever. 

Zimbio: Did you have trouble enjoying it the first time around, back in the '80s?
PD: I think fame is one of those things where you have a window of opportunity and you have a certain amount of trust from the fans. Without that, you don’t have a career. I think you always have to keep that in perspective and fame is fleeting. Sometimes people like you, sometimes they don’t.  Not all people are going to like you and you have to come to terms with that. I think you just can’t start buying into the hype of it all and you have to keep working on the developing material, which I didn’t do early on. That’s the key, controlling the material and bringing it to you. Hopefully if you are making money, the studios are going to give you the opportunity. I just really appreciate it. I’m really happy to have a family and a life outside of the business. When it gets tough and you see all this stuff that just doesn’t make sense and how empty it ultimately is at the end of the day, the work of it is the best part.

Zimbio: Do you still have fans call you Ronald or is it all McDreamy now?
PD: Oh, no, no, no. There's a lot of them. Everybody goes, "Do the dance! Come on, do the African Anteater." No, I'm not going to do the dance. Everybody wants me to do the dance.