Actor and director, race car driver, and racing team founder.
Patrick Dempsey on his love for the 911
Patrick Dempsey was already appearing on stage at the age of 15. He had his movie debut in 1985 in Heaven Help Us and won the Young Artist Award just two years later. An actor and director, Dempsey came to international attention playing Dr. Derek Shepherd in the hit series Grey’s Anatomy. Off set, the 56-year-old with Irish roots pursues his greatest passion – motorsport. The race car driver competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans multiple times, finishing in second place in the class GTE-Am in 2015, and founded his own racing team Dempsey-Proton Racing. He is now a permanent member of the Porsche motorsport family and has been the face of the Porsche Design Eyewear brand since early 2021.
What is love?
Doing something that comes from your heart without wanting anything in return and with no judgment.
How are you?
I will be a lot better when this COVID pandemic is truly over.
The Porsche 911 in three words?
A timeless classic.
Which simple things can make you happy?
Kindness or someone saying hello or a warm smile.
What would you never do in a 911?
Surf a 30-meter wave.
What’s your favorite road?
The Pacific Coast Highway from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon.
What can distract you?
Leaf blowers.
Three things you would take to a desert island?
An umbrella, a knife, and fishing hooks.
Is there a historical figure you admire?
Marcus Aurelius.
What on a 911 could you do without?
A front license plate.
And what couldn’t you?
Everything else.
What music did you wake up to this morning?
I don’t listen to music in the morning, just an alarm clock.
Your favorite film?
Round Midnight by Bertrand Tavernier.
Your favorite book?
American Nations by Colin Woodard.
Where do you long to be?
In the mountains.
Your most treasured possession?
My Porsche 356.
Your secret?
My secret is my secret that I don’t feel like sharing with the world.
The 911 moment of your life?
Racing Le Mans.
Your best advice?
Never forget where you came from.
Story by Porsche (first published on christophorus.porsche.com)
Photos by Nigel Parry (The Licensing Project)
