Last night, E! played Patrick Dempsey: True Hollywood Story.

The actor dished on what it’s like to be an actor in Hollywood, his big break, what life’s like now, and where he’s going from here.

He may be a famous actor – one of TV’s biggest stars – today, but you’ll never guess what he did before he got his lucky break. It involves balls, throwing and coordination… he was a juggler. I wonder if he wore a funny hat.

Grey’s Anatomy star (Dr. Derek Shepherd) wasn’t actually sure he’d get to where he is today for a long time. In the 80’s he was on the fast track, but when his career plateaued – to nothing – he married his manager (who was many years his senior). It wasn’t until much later that he tried again, and ended up where he is as “McDreamy.” He told E! News reporters, “Experiencing that cold shoulder in Hollywood is very difficult.”

For Grey’s Anatomy fans: Patrick says that this season might be ending around Christmas this season – depending on how long the Writer’s Guild of America strike lasts. That’s as far as their scripts go, so it’s all in the air.  Grey’s Anatomy airs on Thursday at 9/8 central.

If you missed Patrick’s story, don’t worry, a one-hour documentary of Patrick’s life is playing tonight (Wednesday, November 7, 2007) on Biography at 10 pm ET.