Patrick Dempsey shared a poignant revelation following the end of his marriage to Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Parker in 1994.
The couple first crossed paths when Dempsey was just 18 and Parker was 44 during the stage production of Brighton Beach Memoirs, where they portrayed aunt and nephew.
Their initial connection grew from professional to personal, leading them to be romantically involved by the close of 1984.
Besides their romantic relationship, Dempsey reportedly enlisted Parker as his full-time acting coach and manager.
They maintained a largely private relationship and eventually married in 1987.
Even before marriage, Dempsey and Parker were rarely seen together in public settings.
The marriage eventually ended in 1994, with the couple citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ as the reason for their split.
During the divorce proceedings, Parker accused Dempsey of assaulting her during the filming of the 1987 movie, Can’t Buy Me Love.
However, she later retracted these allegations, stating she had been ‘advised to make’ such claims by a legal advisor.
In a 2006 interview with Barbara Walters, Dempsey referred to the marriage as a ‘Freudian nightmare that is public knowledge’, explaining, “I think I needed a mother.”
“There were a lot of negative things that I’m still undoing from it. She had a son one year older than me,” he said at the time.
Parker passed away in April 2019 at the age of 74 following a battle with lung and throat cancer.
After his divorce from Parker, Dempsey married make-up artist Jillian Fink, and they have three children together.
In 2023, the Grey’s Anatomy actor was named Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine.
“I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life,” Dempsey stated to the magazine. “It’s nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive.”
Dempsey expressed his surprise upon receiving the title, while Fink commented: “Well, the cat’s out of the bag for 2023 @people’s #SexiestManAlive and my hubz is on the cover!”
“Loved being a part of this insanely fun ride with you @patrickdempsey,” she continued. “What a title! You truly are my sexiest man alive.”