Before Eric Dane played Mark Sloan, he appeared on shows like Charmed and even Saved by the Bell.
Ellen Pompeo? She showed up on Friends before she landed the role as Meredith Grey.
Take a look at all of your favorite Grey’s Anatomy cast members to see what they were up to before their roles on Grey’s Anatomy (and for some who have left the series already, to see what they did after).
Ellen Pompeo, Then…
We’ve basically watched Ellen Pompeo grow up on Grey’s Anatomy, but before she was Meredith Grey, she had roles on Moonlight Mile, Old School, and Catch Me If You Can. She also appeared on one episode of Friends.
Ellen Pompeo, Now…
Now, Ellen Pompeo plays the darky and twisty Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy as the show’s lead character. In addition to being an incredible surgeon, she’s faced death numerous times, and lost her sister and her husband in unthinkable tragedies.
Patrick Dempsey, Then…
Before we knew him as McDreamy, Patrick Dempsey starred in the films Can’t Buy Me Love and Mystic Pizza. Wasn’t he adorable? He also starred in the romantic comedy, Made of Honor, which also included Kevin McKidd.
Patrick Dempsey, Now…
Patrick Dempsey won us over as Derek Shepherd, a.k.a. McDreamy from the first time we saw him on Grey’s Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1. He and Meredith had an epic love story that tragically ended when Derek was killed in a car accident on Grey’s Anatomy Season 11 Episode 21. We’re still not over it.
Chandra Wilson, Then…
Before Chandra Wilson landed her role as Miranda Bailey on Grey’s Anatomy, she had roles in the films Philadelphia and Lone Star. She also made an appearance on Law and Order.
Chandra Wilson, Now…
Now, she plays Miranda Bailey, formerly nicknamed “The Nazi,” and currently acting as the newest chief of surgery and Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. No one deserves that position more than she does.
James Pickens Jr., Then…
Who knew? Before James Pickens Jr. was Richard Webber, he played significant roles as Alvin Kersh on The X-Files, and Mike McKrew on The Practice, along with several other guest roles in the 90s.
James Pickens Jr., Now…
Now, James Pickens Jr. plays the beloved Richard Webber on Grey’s Anatomy. We first knew him as the chief of surgery, and even though he isn’t any longer, he will always be the chief in our hearts.
Sandra Oh, Then…
Sandra Oh had roles on several films including Sideways, The Princess Diaries, and Under the Tuscan Sun before she become Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy.
Sandra Oh, Now…
She played Cristina Yang for several years on Grey’s Anatomy. She was Meredith’s “person,” and a rock-star cardio surgeon. She left Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital at the end of Season 10 when Preston Burke offered her a chance to run her own facility.
Isaiah Washington, Then…
Before Isaiah Washington played head of cardio on Grey’s Anatomy, he was known for his roles in such films as Romeo Must Die and True Crime.
Isaiah Washington, Now…
Isaiah Washington played Preston Burke, who Derek Shepherd’s rival for the job of chief of surgery on Grey’s Anatomy, as well as the love interest for Cristina Yang. He left the show in 2007, but returned in Season 10 for one episode, offering Cristina the job that she would leave Grey Sloan Memorial for. Now, Washington stars as Jaha on The CW series, The 100.
T.R. Knight, Then…
Before he was George O’Malley, T.R. Knight spend most of his time on stage, best known for his role in the off-broadway production of Scattergood. He also starred on the short-lived CBS series, Charlie Lawrence.
T.R. Knight, Now…
T.R. Knight played George O’Malley until he tragically died at the end of Grey’s Anatomy Season 5. His character was the first regularly recurring character to be killed off. Since Grey’s Anatomy, Knight has appeared on Law and Order: SVU and The Good Wife. He will also star in the upcoming Amazon mini-series, 11.22.63 along with James Franco.
Katherine Heigl, Then…
Before she was Grey’s Anatomy’s Izzie Stevens, Katherine Heigl had roles on the television show, Roswell, and several films including Wish Upon a Star and Valentine.
Katherine Heigl, Now…
Katherine Heigl played Izzie Stevens, one of the original interns on Grey’s Anatomy. After battling cancer, marrying Alex, and seeing her best friend die, she ended up leaving at the end of Grey’s Anatomy Season 6. Since then, she’s starred in several films as well as NBC’s State of Affairs, which only lasted one season.
Kate Walsh, Then…
Yes, that really is Kate Walsh. Before she was Addison Montgomery, Kate Walsh played Nicki Fifer on The Drew Carey Show, as well as appearing in several films including Under the Tuscan Sun.
Kate Walsh, Now…
Kate Walsh joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy at the end of Season 1 as Derek Shepherd’s wife, much to the suprise of Meredith Grey. She stuck around for a few seasons until moving on as the star of the Grey’s Anatomy Spin-off, Private Practice. That show ended in 2013.
Justin Chambers, Then…
Remember this adorable guy from The Wedding Planner? Before Justin Chambers was Alex Karev, he played Mossimo on The Wedding Planner, among several other roles on various films.
Justin Chambers, Now…
Now, Justin Chambers plays Alex Karev on Grey’s Anatomy. His character is one has grown and changed (and become more likeable) as the show has progressed. He and Meredith are the only two of the original interns that remain on the show.
Eric Dane, Then…
Eric Dane was always a heartthrob, wasn’t he? Before he was Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, he was Jason Dean on Charmed. He also had a guest spot on one of the summer episodes on Saved by the Bell.
Eric Dane, Now…
Eric Dane showed up in Grey’s Anatomy Season 2 as Mark Sloan, Derek’s best friend who slept with Addison, and essentially the reason Derek came to Seattle Grace in the first place. He ended up sticking around what Cristina later called “Seattle Grace Mercy Death.” Mark died after suffering injuries from the plane crash. Now, he stars as Captain Tom Chandler on TNT’s The Last Ship.
Sara Ramirez, Then…
We love Callie Torres, but before Sara Ramirez landed that role on Grey’s Anatomy, she appeared in moves like You’ve Got Mail and Chicago, as well as the broadway hit, Spamalot.
Sara Ramirez, Now…
Sarah Ramirez first appeared on Grey’s Anatomy as Callie Torres, who married George in Las Vegas only to have her heart broken by him later. Now, after divorcing Arizona Robbins, she’s dating the doctor who failed to save Derek’s life. So much drama.
Jessica Capshaw, Then…
Before she was Grey Sloan Memorial’s favorite pediatric surgeon, Jessica Capshow played lawyer Jamie Stringer on The Practice. She is also known for her roles on Minority Report and Valentin.
Jessica Capshaw, Now…
Now, Jessica Capshaw plays Arizona Robbins, who tragically lost her leg in the plane crash that claimed the lives on Mark and Lexie. That tragedy also marked the beginning of the end of her relationship with Callie.
Kevin McKidd, Then…
Kevin McKidd starred in the series, Journeyman, which was canceled after just one season. He was also known for his roles on Trainspotting and Made of Honor before he joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy.
Kevin McKidd, Now…
Now, Kevin McKidd plays Owen Hunt, a trauma surgeon who also served briefly as the hospital’s chief of surgery on Grey’s Anatomy. He joined the cast at the beginning of Grey’s Anatomy Season 5.
Chyler Leigh, Then…
Before she was Lexie Grey, Chyler Leigh was probably best known for her role on the 2001 film, Not Another Teen Movie. She also had a role on The Practice as Claire Wyatt, alongside Jessica Capshaw.
Chyler Leigh, Now…
Chyler Leigh joined the cast at the end of Grey’s Anatomy Season 3, surprising everyone with the news that she was Meredith’s half sister. Lexie died in the tragic plane crash at the end of Grey’s Anatomy Season 8. Chyler Leigh can now be seen on CBS’s Supergirl.
Jesse Williams, Then…
Before Jesse Williams joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy, he made several television appearances on shows like Law and Order and Greek. He also played Leo in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.
Jesse Williams, Now…
Now, Jesse Williams plays plastics surgeon Jackson Avery on Grey’s Anatomy. The current status of his character’s relationship with April Kepner hangs in the balance.
Sarah Drew, Then…
Here’s a fun fact: Sarah Drew was the voice of a few characters MTV’s Daria. She also played Hannah Rogers on Everwood, and had a brief role on Mad Men.
Sarah Drew, Now…
Now, Sarah Drew plays April Kepner on Grey’s Anatomy. She joined the cast along with Jesse Williams, both as residents coming over from the merger. The other residents their characters joined with have all died.
Jerrika Hinton, Then…
Before she joined the cast as a new intern at the beginning of Grey’s Anatomy Season 9, Jerrika Hinton appeared on several shows included Scandal, Bones, and Gossip Girl. She’s also known for her role in the 2011 film, The Roommate.
Jerrika Hinton, Now…
Jerrika Hinton now plays Stephanie Edwards on Grey’s Anatomy, who currently spends most of her time learning from Dr. Amelia Shepherd. Edwards also briefly dated Jackson.
Camilla Luddington, Then…
Does this scene look familiar? Before Camilla Luddington was Jo Wilson on Grey’s Anatomy, she played Kate Middleton in the television movie, William and Kate.
Camilla Luddington, Now…
Now, Luddington plays a resident at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. She started as a new intern along with Stephanie Edwards at the beginning of Season 9. Currently, her character is in a relationship with Alex Karev.
Caterina Scorsone, Then…
Caterina Scorsone starred on the televsion series 1-800-Missing as Jess Mastriani. Of course, she also played her current character of Amelia Shepherd on the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice before moving to Grey’s Anatomy after Private Practice ended.
Caterina Scorsone, Now…
We came to love the character of Amelia Shepherd on Private Practice, so when the show ended, it was exciting to see Caterina Scorsone join the cast of Grey’s Anatomy as Derek’s sister.
Kelly McCreary, Then…
Kelly McCreary has a thing for playing a doctor on TV. Before she joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy, she played Tyra Dupre on Emily Owens, M.D.
Kelly McCreary, Now…
Now, Kelly McCreary plays Meredith’s OTHER half-sister that Meredith didn’t know she had. She is the child of Richard Webber and Ellis Grey, and has taken the place of Cristina Yang as head of cardio.