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'Grey's Anatomy' Star Reveals He Has Dyslexia

Posted Feb 28th 2006 4:19PM by TMZ Staff

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

"Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey says his childhood wasn't so McDreamy: He wasn't diagnosed as being dyslexic until he was 12 years old.

"I think it's made me who I am today," says Dempsey, who plays neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit ABC series, in an interview on "The Barbara Walters Special" that airs Wednesday night (10 p.m. EST).

"It's given me a perspective of -- you have to keep working," Dempsey tells Walters. "I have never given up."

Dempsey, 40, says he struggles while reading scripts and memorizing his lines.

"I think that's when I get the most insecure ... it's very hard for me to read it off the page," he says. "I need to memorize it, in order to go on."



Dempsey, now experiencing a career comeback since dropping off Hollywood's radar screen after his '80s romantic comedy days, says he was once prone to divalike behavior.

"You can't have temper tantrums," he says. "You have to be professional and I don't think I understood that at the time."

On "Grey's Anatomy," Dempsey's character is nicknamed "Dr. McDreamy" by the hospital's female interns, including Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo.

Walters also interviews Matthew McConaughey, George Clooney, an Oscar nominee in multiple categories, and Mariah Carey, on the 25th edition of her Oscar special.

The show, which previously aired before the Oscars show on the East Coast and immediately following the show on the West Coast, was moved back this year to the last night of sweeps and following an original episode of "Lost."

The Oscars will air Sunday on ABC (8 p.m. EST).

Tags: ABC, Greys Anatomy, GreysAnatomy, Patrick Dempsey, PatrickDempsey

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1. That's amazing I never knew that Patrick Dempsey has dyslexia I am a young women 22 years of age who has been dignosed with MID Mild Intellucal Disability and I am able to relate to Patrick Dumpsey in a way also. MID includes alittle bet of short term memory and the odd time I find dyslexia comes now and the some simple words it is hard for me to remember how to spell or say certain words. I always say never give up on what you want to do in life you can do whatever you want to do in life it just may take me a little more time to do so but Patrick Dempsey is a good example to live by on never giving up on yourself.

Posted at 3:40PM on Mar 6th 2009 by Margarita

2. I am so appreciative when successful people, whether they're stars, athletes, executives, doctors, etc., share the health challenges they've had to deal with throughout their lives and still were able to achieve their goals. Dyslexia is especially difficult and so many people who live with it think that it should be hidden, that it's something to be ashamed of, that one can't succeed if others know the truth; when, if fact, it's just the opposite: I believe that people in gneral are kind and caring and would want to be expecially helpful to those who suffer from the condition if they are informed about it. My nephew thinks it's a shameful thing and hides it at all costs; he thinks that because of it he can only rise so far. It's been difficult to convince him otherwise. Thank you, Patrick, Jay and all of you who are open and honest about your condition. You are all positive examples for those who also suffer from dyslexia.

Posted at 2:57PM on Oct 12th 2006 by DIANE

3. I too am thrilled to see successful people in all professions admit to having dyslexia. Orlando Bloom stated he has dyslexia on the Jay Leno show, and Jay Leno himself has said he is dyslexic. My 14yo son has dyslexia, and since he has been home schooled his whole life, we have been able to cater to his individual needs, but I know he gets frustrated at times with being dyslexic. He has gotten help from people and been trained to "turn off" his dyslexia when he needs to, and it's been a big help, but it is still a challenge and will always be in his life. But he also knows dyslexia is a gift, because dyslexics have so many other enhanced capabilities, athleticism, art, creativity, etc. and it really helps him to know that he is in the ranks of Patrick Dempsey, Jay Leno, Orlando Bloom, Whoopi Goldberg, Cher so many others in all walks of life. He knows he will be a success despite his dyslexia.

Posted at 4:07PM on Oct 15th 2006 by Kathy

4. I would have never thought that Dempsy suffered from dyslexia! He does a great job. It's great when stars uncover their personal lives. You can then relate to them sometimes. Stars aren't all perfection! They might seem like it on camera but off set, they have problems of their own and I don't think many people understand that!

Posted at 4:21PM on Oct 22nd 2006 by Grey's Fan

5. i think that people that have "hot" fuses should be very careful., in a soap opera then can easily be replaced.

Posted at 1:50PM on Oct 24th 2006 by barbara

6. Great job to Dempsy! He does a great job, despite suffering from dyslexia!

Posted at 4:24PM on Oct 22nd 2006 by Anonymus

7. i think that actors that haveh hot tempers should watch their step because if they aren't the main "one" they can be written out of the script.

Posted at 2:09PM on Oct 23rd 2006 by barbara

8. I think that Isaiah Washington should be written out of Gray's I would not miss his aweful performances nor does he seem to be a very good person get over yourself WASHINGTON!
Go Patrick and congratulations on being TOP DOG!

Posted at 6:33PM on Oct 22nd 2006 by Sandy

9. McDreamy is so hot and play his part so well that one would not even know he is dyslexic. I really think if Isiah is the one causing the furor on set he should be written out and we would not miss him. Happy to see a brother getting a break but if he is too big for the show, he should be written off.
Without Patrick and the love affair with Meredith I would not even bother watch the show because it would just be another hosptal show so I and most likely all of American, would definitely not want to see him go.

Posted at 1:44AM on Oct 29th 2006 by CLARIS

10. In regards to the feud between Washington and Dempsey... Get over it! The show works because of the combination all the actors and actress. I don't think there is one star among the group that could carry a show along. So many actors have gotten the big head and left shows and have never been heard from again. Ask the red head on CSI Miami. It took him a long time to get back into the limelight. Washington needs to settle down and get rid of his jealousy and Dempsey needs to deflate his ego. Team work is why the show is successful. Please guys don't mess this up!!!!

Posted at 12:40PM on Dec 6th 2006 by Stephanie Bates

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