Patrick Dempsey's Heartfelt Tribute to Eric Dane Amid New Show Release
In a poignant interview, actor Patrick Dempsey disclosed that he had sought to cast his late Grey's Anatomy co-star Eric Dane in his new Amazon Prime thriller, Memory of a Killer, before Dane's tragic death at age 53. Dempsey, 60, woke up to the devastating news of Dane's passing on the day he spoke to Metro about his latest project, reflecting on the rapid progression of Dane's ALS diagnosis.
Attempt to Cast Dane as On-Screen Brother
Dempsey detailed how he had envisioned Dane playing the role of his character's brother, who suffers from advanced dementia, mirroring the protagonist's own diagnosis in the series. "His agent had reached out, and we were trying to make it work," Dempsey explained. "But it's just so shocking how rapidly the disease progressed." He expressed deep sorrow over the loss, praising Dane as "a remarkable actor and a remarkable man to work with," and extending condolences to Dane's family.
Reflections on Mortality and Career Shift
The interview delved into Dempsey's personal reflections on aging and mortality, spurred by his 60th birthday and his character's health struggles. "I'm on the back side of the mountain," he said, referencing his age. "A lot of people that I know around me are going, so I don't know how much time I have left." This introspection has influenced his career choices, as he moves away from his iconic role in Grey's Anatomy to explore grittier characters like assassin Angelo in Memory of a Killer.
New Role and Co-Star Dynamics
Dempsey highlighted his collaboration with Michael Imperioli, who plays his handler Dutch in the series. He described Imperioli's impact on set, noting, "Every time he was on set, you could feel the energy lift and the excitement from the crew." The show blends intense action sequences with themes of family and health awareness, drawing from Dempsey's own experiences, including his mother's cancer diagnosis, which inspired him to establish a cancer treatment center in 2008.
Legacy and Moving Forward
As Memory of a Killer streams its first five episodes on Amazon Prime Video, Dempsey emphasized the importance of living in the moment and honoring legacies like Dane's. "He gave everything he could to bring awareness to his disease at the very end," Dempsey said. "Now he's in a peaceful place." The actor continues to balance his professional pursuits with family time, aiming to leave a meaningful impact both on and off screen.
