The highly-anticipated, four-part series ‘ Patrick Dempsey Racing Le Mans ‘ premiered last night, Wednesday, August 28, at 10 p.m. (EDT/PDT) on the Discovery Channel and Velocity, Discovery’s high-octane network.
The documentary focuses on Patrick Dempsey taking his place alongside iconic Hollywood race car drivers Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and James Garner as well as the team’s tireless efforts on and off the track in preparing for this past June’s successful return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Racing is my true passion, and taking on Le Mans is the biggest challenge of my life so far,” Patrick Dempsey said. “Le Mans pushes both driver and machine to the absolute brink, testing focus, skill and endurance unlike any other event in the world. Just getting to Le Mans is almost as challenging as the race itself. This project reflects a 360-degree view of the entire race process – including all the ups and downs along the way.”
In addition to the return to Le Mans, the documentary provides an all-access perspective on the human drama, challenges, successes and failures that are constants in professional sports car racing.
Also chronicled is Dempsey’s 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series exploits and his debut season in the ALMS last year, when Patrick Dempsey Racing team fielded a Lola prototype in the P2 class. It also follows the team’s offseason switch to the ALMS GT Challenge class and the No. 27 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, and culminates with Dempsey sharing the No. 77 Dempsey Del Piero-Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR with co-drivers Joe Foster and Patrick Long at Le Mans.
The first episode of Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans aired last night at 10 p.m. ET/PT on both Velocity and the Discovery channel. The remaining episodes will air on Velocity at 10 p.m. ET/PT on the next three consecutive Wednesdays through Sept. 18.
Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy
In the Mood
Ellsworth ‘Sonny’ Wisecarver
1988
Some Girls
Michael
In a Shallow Grave
Daventry
Limited release
1989
Loverboy
Randy Bodek
Happy Together
Christopher Wooden
1990
Coupe de Ville
Robert ‘Bobby’ Libner
1991
Mobsters
Meyer Lansky
Run
Charlie Farrow
1993
Bank Robber
Billy
Face the Music
Charlie Hunter
1994
With Honors
Everett Calloway
Ava’s Magical Adventure
Jeffrey
Also director
1995
Outbreak
Jimbo Scott
1997
Hugo Pool
Floyd Gaylen
Limited release
1998
Denial
Sam
The Treat
Mike
Jonathan Gems film
There’s No Fish Food in Heaven
The Stranger
aka Life in the Fast Lane
1999
Me and Will
Fast Eddie
2000
Scream 3
Det. Mark Kincaid
2002
Sweet Home Alabama
Andrew Hennings
2003
Lucky 7
Peter Connor
The Emperor’s Club
Older Louis Masoudi
2004
Iron Jawed Angels
Ben Weissman
2006
Brother Bear 2
Kenai
Voice only
Shade
Paul Parker
Short film
2007
Freedom Writers
Scott Casey
Enchanted
Robert Philip
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (with Amy Adams)
2008
Made of Honor
Tom Bailey
2010
Valentine’s Day
Harrison Copeland
Easy A
Himself
Archive footage; scene taken from Can’t Buy Me Love
2011
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Dylan Gould
Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor
Flypaper
Tripp
Also producer
2013
Ushi Must Marry
Himself
Movie from Dutch producers, but the movie itself
Patrick Dempsey TV Series List
Television
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1986
A Fighting Choice
Kellin Taylor
TV movie
Fast Times
Mike Damone
Television series
1989
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
The Plant
1 episode
1990
The General Motors Playwrights Theater
1 episode “Merry Christmas, Baby”
1993
For Better and for Worse
Robert Faldo
TV movie
JFK: Reckless Youth
John F. Kennedy
Miniseries
1995
Bloodknot
Tom
TV movie
1996
The Right to Remain Silent
Tom Harris
TV movie
A Season in Purgatory
Harrison Burns
Miniseries
1997
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Pierre Arronax
Miniseries
The Escape
Clayton
TV movie
The Player
Griffin Mill
TV movie
1998
The Bible: Jeremiah
Jeremiah
TV movie
Crime and Punishment
Raskolnikov
2000
Will and Grace
Matthew
2000–2001 (3 episodes)
2000
Once and Again
Aaron Brooks
2000–2002 (4 episodes)
Nominated—Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
2001
Blonde
Cass
Miniseries
Karen Sisco
Carl
1 episode
About a Boy
Carl
TV movie
2004
Iron Jawed Angels
Ben Weissman
TV movie
The Practice
Dr. Paul Stewart
3 episodes
2005–present
Grey’s Anatomy
Dr. Derek Shepherd
2005–present (185 episodes)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast in a Drama Series (2006)
People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male TV Star (2007, 2008)
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (2005, 2006)
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast in a Drama Series (2006, 2008)
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (2005)
Nominated—People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male TV Star (2009)
2009–2012
Private Practice
Dr. Derek Shepherd
TV episode (“The Ex-Life” and “You Break My Heart”)