Claim: Patrick Dempsey has acted in films.

Patrick Galen Dempsey -LRB- born January 13 , 1966 -RRB- is an American actor and race car driver , best known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek `` McDreamy '' Shepherd on Grey 's Anatomy . He saw early success as an actor , starring in a number of films in his early 20s , including Ca n't Buy Me Love -LRB- 1987 -RRB- and Loverboy -LRB- 1989 -RRB- . In the 1990s , he mostly appeared in smaller roles in film , such as Outbreak -LRB- 1995 -RRB- , and television , before landing a lead role in Sweet Home Alabama -LRB- 2002 -RRB- , a surprise box office hit . He has since then starred in a number of other films , including Enchanted -LRB- 2007 -RRB- , Made of Honor -LRB- 2008 -RRB- , Valentine 's Day -LRB- 2010 -RRB- , Flypaper -LRB- 2011 -RRB- , Freedom Writers -LRB- 2007 -RRB- , Transformers : Dark of the Moon -LRB- 2011 -RRB- and Bridget Jones 's Baby -LRB- 2016 -RRB- .   Dempsey , who maintains a sports car and vintage car collection , also enjoys auto racing in his spare time . He has competed in pro-am events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans , Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car race , and Ensenada SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race . Prior to the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans , Dempsey declared that he would `` walk away '' from acting if he could and dedicate himself full-time to motorsports .