Grey's Anatomy Cast: Before the Were Stars

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Take a walk down memory lane as we look at the cast of Grey's Anatomy before they were stars.

1. Grey's Cast Photo

One thing you can always count on is the cast of Grey's Anatomy will continue to change to keep things fresh. We'll look at the stars of Season 11 and where they've been before they hit it big.

2. Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd

Dempsey joined Grey's in 2005 instantly becoming McDreamy Derek Shepherd. Before that he had a role in The Practice (2004) - also as a doctor - as well as a part in Once and Again (2000-2002) as Aaron Brooks. He was known more for movies than television until Grey's.

3. Patrick Dempsey in Can't Buy Me Love

In 1987 Dempsey went from dorky to dreamy as the lawnboy who went to great lengths to win the heart of the popular girl next door. I don't know any girl from that time who didn't want to be Amanda Peterson who starred as Cindy Mancini. Sidenote - Seth Green costarred!

4. Patrick Dempsey in Heaven Help Us

Dempsey's first role was in Heaven Help Us (1985) as Corbet. A movie about catholic school boys starring Donald Sutherland, Andrew McCarthy, Mary Stuart Masterson and Kevin Dillon. Not bad for a first credit, right?!

5. Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey

Prior to Grey's Pompeo made her first splash in movies, most notably Moonlight Mile (2002) with Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon and Jake Gyllenhaal.

6. Ellen Pompeo in Strangers with Candy

One of Pompeo's first credited roles was in Strangers with Candy as Lizzie Abrams in an episode titled Feathers in the Storm (1999). Candy was a comedy show starring Stephen Colbert and Amy Sedaris.

7. Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey

Like her co-star, shortly before landing her role in Grey's Wilson appeared in an episode of Strangers with Candy (2005). She also appeared in The Sopranos (2004) and Sex and the City (2002).

8. Chandra Wilson in Law and Order

How cute is she? This is Chandra Wilson from an episode of Law and Order from 1992! That same year she was also in a CBS SchoolBreak Special and her first credit was on The Cosby Show (1989).

9. Justin Chambers as Alex Karev

The same year Chambers joined Grey's he also starred in the film The Zodiac (2005). He had a recurring role in Cold Case (2003) and played Jennifer Lopez's foreign boyfriend in The Wedding Planner (2001).

10. Justin Chambers in New York Undercover

Chambers first credited role was in Another World (1995) but we can see him above as Officer Nick Caso in New York Undercover (1996).

11. James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber

Pickens literally littered series prior to Grey's, including Curb Your Enthusiasm (2005), Jack and Bobby (2004), The West Wing (2004), The Lyon's Den (2003), Six Feet Under (2002-3), The X-Files (1998-2002), The Practice (1997-2000) and more (Brooklyn South, Roseanne, Beveryly Hills 90210...).

12. James Pickens, Jr. in Another World

Pickens first credited world was as Zack Edwards in soap Another World, a role he played from 1986-1990. Handome bugger, right?

13. Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres

Before joining Grey's in 2006, Ramirez hit NYPD Blue (2004), Law & Order: SVU (2000-2) as well as Third Watch and Spin City (both in 2000).

14. Sara Ramirez in You've Got Mail

Ramirez's first role was in You've Got Mail (1998). She didn't just stroll by, but interacted in a scene with both Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as a grocery story clerk. Way to go Sara!

15. Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins

Before joining Grey's in 2009, Capshaw had roles in The L Word (2007), Bones (2006), The Practice (2002-4), Minority Report (2002), Odd Man Out (1999-2000) and ER (1999).

16. Jessica Capshaw in The Locusts

Capshaw's first role was as Patsy in the feature The Locusts starring her mother, Kate, Jeremie Davies, Vince Vaughn, Ashley Judd and Paul Rudd!

17. Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt

Before joining Grey's in 2008, McKidd starred in Journeyman (2007), Rome (2005-7) and many movies and miniseries.

18. Kevin McKidd in Trainspotting

McKidd's second credited role was in the smash Trainspotting (1996) as Tommy. He starred with Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle.

19. Sarah Drew as April Kepner

Drew has been in many series prior to Greys, including Mad Men (2008-9), Medium (2008) and Cold Case (2006) and starred as Hannah on Everwood from 2004-2006.

20. Sarah Drew in Radio

Drew's first credited role (other than voice only, which would be in the Daria series) was in Radio (2003) starring with Ed Harris, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Alfre Woodard.

21. Jesse Williams as Jackson Avery

Before Grey's Williams starred in the series Beyond the Break (2009) and Greek (2008).

22. Jesse Williams in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

It didn't take long for Williams to be noticed. His and Alexis Bledel's characters in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 spawned YouTube videos they were so popular.

23. Jason George as Ben Warren

Before joining Grey's in 2010 Warren was in Eastwick (2009-2010), Eli Stone (2008-2009), ER (2007-2008), What About Brian (2006-2007), Eve (2003-2006) and many more.

24. Jason George in Sunset Beach

George's second credited role (and first named) was in soap opera Sunset Beach as Michael Bourne from 1997-1999.

25. Camilla Luddington as Jo Wilson

Luddington was a star before she hit Grey's. She was Claudette in True Blood (2012), Lizzie in Californication (2012) and played Kate Middleton in the TV Movie William and Kate (2011).

26. Camilla Luddington in Behaving Badly

Luddington's second credited role (her first was in 2007) was in Behaving Badly (2009) as a flight attendant who helped a fellow cheat mid-flight.

27. Jerrika Hinton as Stephanie Edwards

Hinton has been in many series before she landed on Grey's in 2012 including Scandal (2012), Bones (2011), Terriers (2010), Gossip Girl (2009), Ghost Whisperer (2008) and Gilmore Girls (2006).

28. Jerrika Hinton in Hanes Commercial

HInton's first credited role was in a movie called Rain (2006). Finding her earlier roles is difficult, but she put some videos of commercials up on YouTube, including this Hanes "wedgie" classic she did with Sarah Chalke in 2008!

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Grey's Anatomy Quotes

[walking by Izzie's room]
Meredith: Hot.
Sadie: Horny.

Sexual sorbet? Hahaha! I love it.

Bailey