Grey’s Anatomy cast ages: How old was the cast then (and now)?

For nearly 20 years, Grey’s Anatomy has dominated television and catapulted a number of its stars into the stratosphere of stardom. Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, and more Grey’s alums became household names thanks to the series.

The medical drama first premiered on ABC in March 2005 as a midseason replacement with a nine-episode first season. Who would have thought back then that the series would be an awards and ratings sensation set to produce well over 400 episodes?

All the tears, heartbreak, and shocking plot twists have culminated in the series still being a fan-favorite into its landmark nineteenth season. But how old were the original main cast members in season 1 and how old are they today? Let’s get into the Grey’s Anatomy cast ages! (Last updated March 22, 2024)

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey

Ellen Pompeo was born on Nov. 10, 1969, making the actress 54 years old as of March 2024. When Grey’s Anatomy began airing in March 2005, Pompeo was 35 years old. It’s been said Meredith’s birth year is 1978, which would make Meredith Grey about 27 years old at the start of the series. In 2023, Meredith is about 45 years old. Pompeo reduced her on-screen role on Grey's beginning with season 19 in order to pursue acting and producing a limited series at Hulu.

Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd

Patrick Dempsey was born on Jan. 13, 1966, which makes the actor 58 years old as of March 2024. He’s just over three years older than his Grey’s wife Ellen Pompeo, and his character, Dr. Derek Shepherd (otherwise known as McDreamy), was also a bit older than Meredith. In 2005 when the series started, Dempsey was 39 years old, and when he left in 2015 after 11 seasons, he was 49 years old. His most recent roles include Devils, Disenchanted, Ferrari, and Thanksgiving.

Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang

Sandra Oh was born on July 21, 1971, and the Cristina Yang actress is 52 years old as of March 2024. A little over a year and a half older than her on-screen person Ellen Pompeo, Oh was 34 when Grey’s began airing in 2005, and she was 43 when she left the series in 2014 after 10 seasons. Oh went on to star in Killing Eve, The Chair, Turning Red, Invincible, and Quiz Lady. She will next be seen in HBO's The Sympathizer.

T.R. Knight as George O'Malley

T.R. Knight was born on March 26, 1973, meaning the George O’Malley actor will turn 51 years old in March 2024. When the series began, Knight was 32 years old, making him one of the youngest members of the original cast. Knight left Grey’s Anatomy after the conclusion of season 5 in 2009, and the actor was 36 years old at the time of his departure. After his Emmy-nomniated role in Grey's, Knight appeared in shows such as The Good Wife, 11.22.63, The Catch, When We Rise, The Comey Rule, and The Flight Attendant.

Justin Chambers as Alex Karev

Justin Chambers was born on July 11, 1970, making the Alex Karev actor 53 years old as of March 2024. When the series premiered in 2005, Chambers was 35 years old. He was the fourth longest-lasting original cast member, leaving the series after season 16 in 2019 at the age of 49 years old. He appeared in the 2022 miniseries The Offer as Marlon Brando.

Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens

Katherine Heigl was born on Nov. 24, 1978. The Emmy-winning Izzie Stevens actress and Firefly Lane star is 45 years old as of March 2024. She was the youngest member of the original Grey’s Anatomy cast, beginning the series at 27 years old. Heigl left the series in the middle of season 6 in January 2010 when the actress was 32 years old. She's starred in titles like Knocked Up, 27 Dresses, Life as We Know It, State of Affairs, Doubt, and Suits.

James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber

James Pickens Jr. was born on Oct. 26, 1954, making the Richard Webber actor 68 years old as of June 2023. He remains a main cast member on Grey’s in season 20 and potentially beyond. When the series debuted in 2005, Pickens was 51 years old. Beyond his continued role on Grey's, he's also guest starred in shows like Yellowstone, The Conners, and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey

Chandra Wilson was born on Aug. 27, 1969, which makes the actress 54 years old as of March 2024 and a couple months older than co-star Ellen Pompeo. Like Pickens, Wilson remains a main cast member on the series and was 35 when the series premiered in the mid-aughts.

Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery

Kate Walsh was born on Oct. 13, 1967, making the Addison Montgomery actress 56 years old. She joined the series as a main character in its second season in 2005, when she was 38 years old, and Walsh left the series after the third season for the spinoff Private Practice. She returned to the series as Addison in season 18 and 19 in a recurring capacity. She's had recurring roles in the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy and Emily in Paris and also recurred in the Freevee series Sprung.

Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres

Sara Ramirez was born on Aug. 31, 1975, making Callie Torres star 48 years old as of March 2024. They joined the cast of Grey’s as a main character in season 3, which premiered in September 2006, when they were 31. Ramirez left the series in 2016 after season 12, their 10th as a main cast member, at the age of 40. They most recently appeared in the first two seasons of Sex and the City sequel series And Just Like That as Che Diaz.

Eric Dane as Mark Sloan

Eric Dane was born on Nov. 9, 1972, which makes the Mark Sloan (also known as McSteamy) actor 51 years old as of March 2024. Like Sara Ramirez, Dane joined the series in season 3 at the age of 34, and he ultimately left the series two episodes into season 9 in 2012 when he was 40. Dane has also appeared in titles like Valentine's Day, Burlesque, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Last Ship, The Fixer, and Euphoria.

Watch Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix, Hulu, and ABC.