Ellen Pompeo, best known for her role as Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy, is embracing a new career challenge. After two decades on the hit ABC medical drama, Pompeo, 55, is set to star in the Hulu miniseries Good American Family, a project inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace.
Pompeo, who stepped back from full-time acting on Grey’s Anatomy in 2022, is now diving into her first major non-Grey’s role in 20 years. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she acknowledged the weight of this transition, saying, “I have a lot to prove here.”
Despite scaling back her on-screen appearances, Pompeo has remained an integral part of Grey’s Anatomy, continuing as the show’s narrator and returning for key episodes. Showrunner Meg Marinis confirmed that the door is always open for Pompeo’s return, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “When we can have Ellen on set, we love to have her.”
Ellen Pompeo’s Rise and Fight for Equality
Pompeo’s journey to becoming one of television’s highest-paid women has been anything but easy. Born the youngest of six children, she lost her mother to an overdose at just five years old. “I was pathetically insecure. I didn’t have a mother to tell me how amazing I was,” she told Good Housekeeping.
Her early struggles fueled her determination to succeed in Hollywood. After small film roles, she earned critical acclaim for Moonlight Mile before landing the lead in Grey’s Anatomy when it debuted in 2005. The role skyrocketed her to fame, making her a household name.
While her career flourished, Pompeo prioritized building a stable home life. She married record producer Chris Ivery in 2007, and the couple has three children: Stella, 15, Sienna, 10, and Eli, 8. “A healthy home life was more important than career,” she shared on the Jemele Hill Is Unbothered podcast.
Her commitment to family did not stop her from demanding the salary she deserved. In 2018, Pompeo made headlines when she negotiated a $20 million per year contract, surpassing her co-star Patrick Dempsey, who had previously earned more. “If you’re bold and you do speak up, you just might be part of some change,” she told E! News.
Pompeo’s Next Bold Move
Pompeo’s upcoming miniseries Good American Family marks her first major departure from Grey’s Anatomy. The show explores a gripping real-life case, and Pompeo is determined to prove her range beyond the medical drama that defined her career.
“I have not done anything new in 20 years,” she told Vanity Fair. “I have a lot to prove here.”
As Pompeo embarks on this new chapter, fans are eager to see if her success on Grey’s Anatomy will translate into a fresh era of career-defining roles.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.