# Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink: How They Saved Their Marriage

- Original post: https://www.twitter.com/i/status/2068703954163417222
- Source account: [@madison982599](https://x.com/madison982599)
- Source language: English
- Duration: 1:34
- Published: 2026-06-22
- Canonical URL: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage

## Transcript

[0:00](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage) What Patrick Dempsey did when his wife walked out on him is something no other Hollywood actor would ever dare to do.

[0:05](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=5) Back in the 2010s, Patrick Dempsey wasn't just another working actor.

[0:08](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=8) He was sitting at the absolute top of the television food chain.

[0:12](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=12) He had spent a grueling 11 seasons playing Dr. Derek Shepherd on the global cultural phenomenon Grey's Anatomy, raking in $400,000 per episode.

[0:21](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=21) With around 24 episodes a season, he was bringing home nearly $10 million a year just from his base salary alone.

[0:28](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=28) Not even counting his massive syndication royalties, back-end profits, and high-end endorsement deals with brands like Versace and L'Oreal.

[0:36](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=36) He was building a massive empire, but success came with a brutal price tag.

[0:40](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=40) He was regularly clocking 18-hour days on set, leaving him virtually no time to ever be at home.

[0:46](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=46) The constant absence pushed his family to a complete breaking point.

[0:50](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=50) After 15 years of marriage, Patrick's wife, Jillian Fink, officially filed for divorce.

[0:54](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=54) The actor was completely devastated. But instead of hiring high-powered attorneys to fight for his multi-million dollar fortune in a bitter court battle, Patrick fought for his wife.

[1:04](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=64) He reportedly looked at Jillian and told her, "I choose you. I choose us.

[1:08](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=68) The show can replace a doctor, our kids can't replace their dad."

[1:11](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=71) Patrick quit the role and completely abandoned the glitz and glamour of Hollywood for six straight months.

[1:17](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=77) He put 100% of his energy into rebuilding the broken trust with his family.

[1:22](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=82) And his extreme gamble paid off. In 2016, Jillian officially went to court and withdrew the divorce papers.

[1:28](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/CzVu9yTSGUYs/en/patrick-dempsey-and-jillian-fink-how-they-saved-their-marriage?t=88) They successfully saved their marriage, and today, they are still happily together.