Premise: Patrick Galen Dempsey ( born January 13 , 1966 ) is an American actor and race car driver , best known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek `` McDreamy '' Shepherd on Grey 's Anatomy . In the 1990s , he mostly appeared in smaller roles in film , such as Outbreak ( 1995 ) , and television , before landing a lead role in Sweet Home Alabama ( 2002 ) , a surprise box office hit . He has since then starred in a number of other films , including Enchanted ( 2007 ) , Made of Honor ( 2008 ) , Valentine 's Day ( 2010 ) , Flypaper ( 2011 ) , Freedom Writers ( 2007 ) , Transformers : Dark of the Moon ( 2011 ) and Bridget Jones 's Baby ( 2016 ) .
Hypothesis: Patrick Dempsey was in a coma from 2001-2007 and unable to act.
Label: CONTRADICTION