We know him best as Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka McDreamy) on Grey’s Anatomy, but this spring Patrick Dempsey is pulling double duty with the return of his hit show and his new movie Made of Honor.
The latter, a comedy costarring Michelle Monaghan, follows a successful businessman named Tom as he transitions from mega-player to hapless romantic when he discovers he’s in love with his best friend Hannah. The realization comes too late and before he can reveal his affections he finds out she’s found someone else.
When Hollywood.com sat down with Dempsey he was ready to open up about everything in the film from wearing a mini-kilt to his secret talent; juggling.
HW: You’ve starred in films like Can’t Buy Me Love, Enchanted and now Made of Honor. How do you see the perfect romantic comedy?
PD: Well, hopefully entertaining and romantic. I think that’s the key. What we really talked about initially [with this one was] it was important that we had a connection and that people would go on the ride with us. That’s what you want in a romantic comedy – is to have people that you want to see together and how do they overcome the obstacles that are in the way for that to happen.
HW: At the beginning of the film you play a younger version of your character. What was it like going back 10 years?
PD: I hated that part. We were like, “Why do we have to do this” …I can’t watch that part. I close my eyes. I just flash back to everything in my youth.
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HW: This movie is all about wedding planning, what was your wedding like?
PD: Mine was great. Very romantic. Very small. We created the whole thing in like two weeks. I was thrilled with mine. I don’t remember much of it, I just remember trying to get it all together. We were back in the farm in the country and it was a beautiful day.
HW: Your father in the film disagrees with the old saying; if you love someone set them free. What’s your take on that?
PD: I think you should follow your heart…I think when you feel strongly about something you should follow that. You try to instill that in your children and yourself.
HW: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for love?
PD: I don’t think I ever did anything crazy like that. Having been married, obviously, the first time, and then the second time, I was like, “I want to do this again.” I think that was the craziest thing I did and also the most positive thing I ever did.
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HW: Why don’t people realize when they have a good thing?
PD: Because they don’t see it. It’s like it’s in front of them and they take it for granted I think. And then, it’s not till it’s gone that you realize how special it is…[Tom] was fulfilled on a friendship level and had his physicality and the sex and that kind of thing in other relationships.
HW: He gets to have his cake and eat it too.
PD: He was eating a lot of cake [laughs]. But he just didn’t have the depth and the emotion that he has with this relationship [with Hannah].
Photo: Sony [PAGEBREAK]
HW: Part of the film takes place in Scotland and you had to wear a kilt, actually a mini-kilt.
PD: I actually wear it now at home all the time…Well, I just thought it was fun. It was a great visual gag and hopefully it gets a good laugh. You know, in a movie like this you need to take the piss as they say over there and I think that was really important.
HW: Tom spends a lot of time playing basketball with the guys. Do you play?
PD: Oh I hate basketball. I was like, “Why do we have to play basketball. We always play basketball. Can’t we do cycling?”…The challenge was to make it look like I could play basketball. I played in high school…It’s just not a sport I’m attracted to. I like cycling and bike racing and car racing.
Photo: Sony
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HW: You even had a juggling scene. Was that something you knew how to do in advance?
PD: Oh yeah, I was second in the international juggler’s competition in 83’ in the junior division. I wanted to join the circus…I was too young. They wouldn’t let me in.
HW: What kind of circus acts were you performing back then?
PD: I did juggling, slapstick comedy, unicycling and magic. That’s what I did in high school. That was my job.
Photo: Sony [PAGEBREAK]
HW: Did you find this project similar to Grey’s Anatomy at all?
PD: I think it’s romantic, so there is some romance in Grey’s but this is a slightly different character and I think it’s slightly different than Enchanted too. I think it’s slowly trying to take steps forward to try and do different things without a big radical shift with people thinking, ‘What are you trying to do?’ I think that was the goal with both of these movies, Enchanted and now this. It’s like, slowly moving forward and changing it up.
HW: Have you gone back to shoot more Grey’s Anatomy this season?
PD: Oh yeah. There’s a two hour season thing we’re just in the middle of right now and the hours are incredibly long. It’s a lot of work.
HW: How happy are you that Derek and Meredith are getting back together again?
PD: Who knows. Are they? I’m so spun out over that. I’m not sure if it’s me or the character at this point. It’ 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.
HW: How much more Grey’s Anatomy do you see yourself doing?
PD: Well I have a contract so I’m with them and I don’t think it’s wise to leave a show. You’ve seen other people who have done that and I think it’s a big mistake. There’s an audience there. It really gets down to the stories and we are going to continue to keep it fresh and entertaining and not too predictable. At the end of the day that keep everybody there.
Photo: ABC
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HW: With the kind of fallout of the writer’s strike and then the Screen Actors Guild strike looming, is there tension on the set because you might not be able to come back and do those other shows?
PD: No, I think we have so much work to do right now that people are trying to survive the days because the network and the studio wanted to have more products so they pushed us to do a two -parter and 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 finish strong.
HW: Do you think the SAG strike will happen?
PD: I don’t know. I have no idea where we’re at on that. I hope it doesn’t. I don’t think we need a strike. It would be unwise for that to happen. I think they need to sit down and realize everyone is in this together and make a good deal. We’re in a recession. There are a lot of things going on that are far more important than people squabbling over [this]. I think people deserve the money. I think it should be shared equally, but let’s not get greedy on both sides. I think we need to be really rationally about this and think about the bigger picture.
Photo: Daily Celeb
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HW: How are you dealing with the rejuvenation of your career?
PD: I’m dealing with it great. I love it [laughs]. 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 just to appreciate it. You know, driving here today, I was like, ‘I just really want to appreciate what’s happening, because in a week’s time, who knows how the movie is going to do? Enjoy the moment now and hopefully have more opportunities in the future.’
HW: Compared to when you were young …
PD: We brought fragile up. 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 and without that you don’t have a career. And I think you always have to put that in perspective. And fame is fleeting. Sometimes people like you, sometimes they don’t…you just can’t start buying into the hype of it all.
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HW: You were at the top of your game in 1987, do you still have fans call you Ronald from Can’t Buy Me Love?
PD: Oh, no, no, no. A lot of people say “Do the dance! Come on do the Anteater Ritual, do the dance!” Everybody wants me to do the dance.
Photo: Buena Vista Pictures
