Ellen Kathleen Pompeo was born in Everett, Massachusetts, to Kathleen B. (O'Keefe) and Joseph E. Pompeo, a salesman. She is of Italian (from her paternal grandfather), Irish, and some English, ancestry.
Pompeo made her major studio screen debut in
Brad Silberling's
Moonlight Mile (2002), starring alongside
Susan Sarandon,
Dustin Hoffman, and
Jake Gyllenhaal. She received outstanding reviews for her portrayal of an outspoken young woman
carrying a silent burden that's breaking her heart.
Pompeo starred opposite
Luke Wilson,
Vince Vaughn, and
Will Ferrell in the wildly successful
Old School (2003) and, before that, in
Steven Spielberg's
Catch Me If You Can (2002), opposite
Leonardo DiCaprio.
Pompeo has starred in several independent features, including
In the Weeds (2000),
Coming Soon (1999), and
Life of the Party (2005). Since
2005, she has played Dr. Meredith Grey on the television series
Grey's Anatomy (2005).
Grey's Anatomy(2005)
Good American Family(2025)as Kristine Barnett
Station 19(2018)as Dr. Meredith Grey
Doc McStuffins: Pet Rescue/Baby/Ultimate Safari/Arctic Rescue/Toy Hospital(2012)as Willow
Taylor Swift: Bad Blood(2015)as Luna
Late Night with Seth Meyers(2014)as Self - Guest
Entertainment Tonight(1981)as Self
Access Hollywood(1996)as Self
The Jennifer Hudson Show(2022)as Self - Guest
Quotidien(2016)as Self
Dish Nation(2011)as Self
Celebrity Page(2013)as Self
Extra(1994)as Self
Grey's Anatomy: Post-Op(2017)as Dr. Meredith Grey
