Patrick Dempsey's dating count since '80s stardom has been minimal
After embodying a character with the endearing moniker "McDreamy," one can imagine the actor behind the portrayal as someone with an active dating life too. But that is not the case with Patrick Dempsey. Renowned for his remarkable 11-season depiction of Dr. Derek Shepherd in the ABC medical series Grey's Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey has been a fixture on screens since the mid-'80s. Despite the passage of time, the 57-year-old actor, now adorned with distinguished salt-and-pepper hair and an enchanting smile, retains his dashingly charismatic presence. In contrast to his on-screen romantic exploits, Dempsey's real life romantic narrative is unexpectedly devoid of an extensive list of paramours.
Eyebrow-raising romance with ex-wife Rochelle Parker
At the age of 18, Patrick Dempsey crossed paths with his first wife, who happened to be 44 years old. In the late 1980s, Dempsey, known for his embrace of the "geeky cute" style, exchanged vows with his 47-year-old manager, Rochelle "Rocky" Parker. While relationships with significant age differences, such as that of Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor, can and do endure, Dempsey's marriage faced challenges. Additionally, Parker was also the mother of Dempsey's best friend, Corey Parker.
Patrick Dempsey's first wife made accusations of domestic violence
Accusations of physical abuse emerged, as Parker claimed that during the filming of 'Can't Buy Me Love' in 1987, Patrick assaulted her. According to one TODAY report, Parker asserted that Dempsey not only broke her finger in a car door but also beat her up. She claimed that during the filming of his 1987 movie 'Can't Buy Me Love', he physically assaulted her after saying he "wanted to see what it was like to beat a woman." Parker further asserted that their marital connection crumbled when Dempsey left her for another woman, ultimately leading to their divorce in 1994. It's noteworthy that Parker later retracted her allegations of domestic violence.
Patrick Dempsey had 'mommy issues'
In a 2007 interview with Barbara Walters, Dempsey opened up about the dynamics of his relationship with Parker. He candidly revealed that his attraction to her was connected to what he described as his "mommy issues." He said, "I think I needed a mother. There were a lot of negative things that I'm still undoing from it," as reported by Mamamia. He added that Rocky, who had a son just one year older than him, played a role in this aspect of their connection. Rocy Parker died in 19 April 2014 after a struggle with stage four throat and lung cancer.
Patrick Dempsey found his second love in Jillian Fink
In the mid-'90s, Patrick Dempsey met his current wife, celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist Jillian Fink, during a visit to the salon where she worked. Interestingly, Jillian initially thought that Dempsey's appointment was a prank, as it was common for her colleagues to humorously assign celebrity names to regular clients. "I was shocked [when he came in for an appointment] but at the same time, I was happy because he was so cute,” Jillian told People in 2002. According to Closer Weekly, the romantic connection between Patrick and Jillian didn't flourish until three years after their initial meeting. However, once they embarked on their courtship, their affection for each other blossomed. Initially hitting it off, Dempsey and Fink found a connection even though they were both involved with other people at the time of their meet-cute. According to People, their early interactions were characterized by a flirtatious dynamic. Patrick shared with the publication, "She was always flirting." Good Housekeeping noted that a mere three months after their first date, the couple took a significant step by moving in together.
Patrick Dempsey's second marriage almost ended in divorce as well
In July 1999, Dempsey and Fink exchanged vows, and since then, the couple has been blessed with a daughter named Tallula Fyfe and twin sons named Sullivan Patrick and Darby Galen. Patrick and Jillian embraced parenthood in 2002 with the birth of their daughter, Talula, who is now 21. A few years later, the couple expanded their family with the arrival of twin boys, Darby and Sullivan. However, in 2015, Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink faced a temporary disruption to their marital bliss when Jillian filed for divorce in January. As per E News, in their joint statement, they expressed that the decision was made with careful consideration and mutual respect, emphasizing their primary concern for the well-being of their children. Patrick reflected on this challenging period in 2016, telling People, "Our marriage was not something I was prepared to let go of. I didn't feel like we had done all the work. And we both wanted to do that work". The couple eventually decided not to divorce.
Marriage counseling helped Patrick Dempsey find 'new beginning'
The reunited couple, and proud parents to three beautiful children, are now on the journey to rebuild their relationship. Couple's counseling is a factor Patrick reportedly emphasized as "very important" in the rekindling process. Through this effort, the parents-of-three discovered a "new beginning" in their marriage. As per reports, with his marriage now described as "much healthier" than before, Dempsey has gained insights into what it takes to maintain a strong relationship. He emphasizes the importance of continuous effort, communication, staying open, avoiding complacency, and, in his candid words, "lots of sex!" It seems like the actor has discovered the keys to a thriving partnership.
