When Grey’s Anatomy first aired back in 2005, we were introduced to a group of interns who had hopes of one day becoming full-time doctors.
Over the years, we have watched as those interns struggled with different issues, including balancing their work lives with their home lives, their studies, and more. While some didn’t make it, there are a few that did, who've been with the show since day one. One being the talented Meredith Grey, who is played by the even more talented Ellen Pompeo.
Thanks to her role as Meredith Grey, Ellen has become one of the biggest actors on television today. With all this fame, though, she prefers to keep her life as private as she can.
We dug up 20 things about her, though, to share with fans who love her.
20 Jake Gyllenhaal Once Hit On Her
Weeks before starring alongside one another in the film, Moonlight Mile, Ellen and Jake Gyllenhaal officially met, when they bumped into one another in a room.
Ellen states that when Jake first saw her, he told her that she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
What a romantic.
19 She Felt Very Awkward Having To Do An Intimate Scene With Leonardo DiCaprio On The First Day Filming
Back in 2003, Ellen played the role of Marci in the biographical crime drama, Catch Me If You Can.
Her very first day on set, she had to perform an “intimate” scene with co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, whom she shared a few scenes with. She admitted that having to do that scene on the very first day of filming made things very uncomfortable for her.
18 She Would Like To Make Out With Angelina Jolie
Everyone has a famous crush that he or she would love to link up with, be it female or male.
For Ellen Pompeo, if ever given the opportunity, she would like to make out with, “Ooh! Angelina Jolie. She’s gorgeous. Or Sandra Oh.”
We definitely can’t blame her for choosing those two beautiful ladies.
17 Michael Bloomberg, Mayor Of New York, Was A Witness At Her Wedding
Ellen met her husband, Chris Ivery, back in 2003, and the two dated for four years before they were married in 2007.
When they said their “I Do’s”, they decided to skip the big wedding and, instead, just have a civil ceremony. There was an important guest at their union, though...New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, who witnessed their marriage ceremony.
16 She Didn't Audition For The Part Of Meredith Grey
Many actors need to audition for their roles before they are chosen, but Ellen is one of the few who never had to do that to land a role on Grey's Anatomy.
In fact, she never even went to tryouts. She was actually auditioning for a show called Secret Service, which was never picked up, when she was asked to act in Grey’s Anatomy instead.
15 Several Media Outlets Have Reported She Has An Eating Disorder, When She Doesn't
For as long as Ellen has been in the spotlight, she has always had a small frame.
Because of her size, media outlets are constantly reporting that she suffers from an eating disorder. Ellen doesn’t take these rumors lying down, though, and has called the media out for being irresponsible, and for promoting rumors that could affect the young girls that look up to her and try to emulate her.
14 She Is Not A Fan Of Wearing Makeup
Being in the acting business requires actors to wear a lot of makeup, something that Ellen is not a fan of.
In fact, she has stated that, when she is not working, she never wears the stuff, even if she must go out. If she MUST wear it, she only does some lip gloss, or a smoky black eye look and mascara.
13 Her Nickname As A Child Was Pencil
Currently, the standards on body size have changed. It’s no longer looked down on if a model isn’t skin and bones or an actress is plus size.
While Ellen Pompeo has a body that many people would go nuts for, she didn’t always.
In fact, when she was younger, her nickname was “Pencil” because of her boyish figure.
12 She Was A Bartender At The SoHo Bar & Grill In New York City
Before acting opportunities even crossed her path, Ellen was a bartender at the SoHo Bar & Grill in New York City.
Ellen has admitted that it was while working as a bartender that she was discovered. She also claims that while she is a “very good hustler,” she stinks at mixing drinks.
11 She Is One Of The Most Renowned Actresses In The World, Just For Her Part As Meredith Grey
Ellen has a few different projects she has starred in since her debut in 1995.
It wasn’t until she landed her big role on Grey’s Anatomy, though, that her career really took off. Now she has five awards and 15 nominations under her belt, one of which is a Golden Globe nomination. This makes her one of the most renowned television actresses in the world, all thanks to her part as Meredith Grey.
10 She Was Listed As The Third Highest-Paid Female Actress
Back in 2018, Forbes magazine did a piece on the highest-paid TV actors in the business.
Ellen Pompeo was listed as the third highest-paid female actress in the business, and the fifth highest-paid actor out of all other actors. It’s estimated that she brings in almost $23.5 million a year.
9 She Only Made Around $200 Per Episode In Season One Of Grey's
As previously stated, Ellen is the third highest-paid actor on television today, bringing in an estimated $23.5 million a year.
When she first debuted back in 2005, on Grey’s Anatomy, she only received $200 per episode. Since the show has taken off, though, she is now making an estimated $575,000 per episode.
8 She Is Also A Producer On Grey's Anatomy, Which Earns Her A Separate Pay Check
A few years ago, after renewing her contract for Grey’s Anatomy, Ellen was able to add a new rank to her contract.
Ellen is now also a producer on the hit series, which not only gives her a new rank, but also a separate paycheck. This means an extra $6 to $7 million a year to bring home.
7 She Met Her Music Producer Husband In A Grocery Store Back In 2003, Even Though They Grew Up Right Next To Each Other
Ellen Pompeo met her husband, music producer Chris Ivery, back in 2003, in an LA grocery store, and dated him for four years before getting married in 2007.
Thing is, the duo grew up in Boston, only 10 miles apart from each other, but only met and got to know each other when they started dating in 2003.
They now have 3 kids together.
6 She Is Close Friends With Taylor Swift
Many don’t know this, but Ellen is actually good friends with Taylor Swift.
In fact, Ellen actually starred as the character, Luna, in the music video for one of Taylor’s most popular songs, Bad Blood.
Ellen has a daughter named Stella Luna, which raises the question of whether her character’s name was coincidence or planned?
5 Once Grey's Anatomy Is Done With, She Is Quitting Acting
In an earlier interview, Ellen admitted that her acting career had all started by chance. It was not something that she had thought about before that.
Over the years, Ellen has dropped some hints that she is giving up acting once Grey’s Anatomy is over, to pursue a different career. Seeing as she has been with the show since its debut in 2005, almost 15 years ago, we don’t blame her.
4 She Has Five Older Siblings, Who Are A Lot Older
Born on November 10, 1969, in Everett, Massachusetts, Ellen Kathleen Pompeo is the last child born to her parents, Joseph and Kathleen Pompeo.
Ellen has five other siblings, three sisters and two brothers, who are all a lot older than her. In fact, they are all eight years older or more.
3 She Owns Her Own Production Company
Once Grey’s Anatomy is over, Ellen Pompeo has made claims that she is going to hang up her acting hat.
That doesn’t mean she is going to give up showbiz completely, though.
Back in 2011, Ellen launched the production company, Calamity Jane, a company that has actually been doing well for itself (and will give her a backup if she does give up acting completely).
2 She Suffers From Severe Allergies & Asthma
It’s hard to believe that Ellen suffers from anything but exhaustion due to her career and raising three children.
It seems like the talented actress has a couple of medical conditions, though...severe allergies and asthma.
In fact, she must be careful what kind of pets she has, because of her ailments. As of now, she and her husband have two toy poodles that don’t shed, so she can live comfortably.
1 She Wakes Up Early Every Morning To Hit The Treadmill
Even with three kids, Ellen makes sure to follow a strict routine every day.
From what she has reported in the past, she makes sure to get up every day around 5:30, then she runs on the treadmill while drinking her coffee. After she is done with that, she meditates for 20 minutes, which she does twice a day.
Sources: Boomsbeat.com, Uselessdaily.com, Thetalko.com