The Grey's Anatomy Insider staff would like to extend belated birthday wishes to the lovely, talented woman who literally puts the Grey in Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo, who celebrated her 38th birthday Saturday, November 10.

A native of the Boston area, Pompeo achieved modest fame with a variety of film roles before starring as Meredith Grey and becoming a household name - not to mention a Golden Globe award nominee and Screen Actors Guild award winner.

Now 38 years young, Ellen Pompeo lives in L.A. with her fiance, Chris Ivery, and their two dogs. Here's hoping we are treated to many more seasons of watching Ellen on Grey's Anatomy as the conflicted and complex title character.

Despite her rise to fame, Ellen Pompeo remains one of the more down to earth stars in Hollywood, and certainly among the most liked by readers of our site. We wish her the best, belatedly, on her birthday and thank her for her work on Grey's Anatomy!

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.