Born in Lewiston in the United States, Patrick Dempsey began his artistic career in the theater. After making his debut in a troupe of Maine, he distinguished himself in the play Brighton Beach Memoirs, where he played the leading role for more than a year across the United States.

In 1985, he abandoned the stage for film, his first role coming in the film Heaven Help Us, with actor Donald Sutherland. Two years later he co-starred with Amanda Peterson in the romantic comedy Can't Buy Me Love by Ronald Miller.

After a few recurring roles in the series Once and Again, Will and Grace and The Practice, he was cast in Sweet Home Alabama with Reese Witherspoon in 2002.

His career was to be propelled by the success of Grey's Anatomy, which allowed him to be named best actor in a television series in the People's Choice Award in 2007 and 2008 and being named two consecutive years at the Golden Globes in 2006 and 2007. Named best actor in a television series in 2007 by the Screen Actors Guild, he acquired a big role in the production of Walt Disney's, Once Upon a Time and co-starred with actress Hillary Swank in the film, by the critically acclaimed Freedom Writers. In 2008, Patrick Dempsey appeared on the poster for the film Made of Honor, where he played alongside Michelle Monaghan and Sydney Pollack.

On the 13th and 14th June 2009, Patrick Dempsey attended the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving the Ferrari F430 for Team Seattle Advanced Engineering, in order to raise money for Seattle Children's Hospital and the French Association Sponsorship cardiac surgery.

In 2011, he played Dylan Gould in the third installment of Tranformers. Patrick Dempsey is again on display during the Christmas season, in the movie Flypaper, in which he played the lead role.