Grey's Anatomy has launched many successful acting careers over the years, with several of its stars going on to land major roles in film and television. From Sandra Oh’s critically acclaimed turn in Killing Eve to Katherine Heigl’s transition into romantic comedies, the medical drama has served as a springboard for its talented cast.
But not every former cast member has followed the typical Hollywood trajectory. One star recently revealed they haven’t auditioned for a single role since leaving the show, and their surprising confession has sparked plenty of conversation among fans.
Many would recognize Jeffrey Dean Morgan nowadays for his role as Negan in The Walking Dead franchise or perhaps for his roles as Joe Kessler/Billy Butcher in The Boys. But long before he became a fan favorite in the world of apocalyptic horror and superhero satire, Morgan played heartthrob Denny Duquette on Grey’s Anatomy. Despite his short-lived role, it left a lasting impression, and apparently, so did his performance.
In a new interview with People, Morgan spoke about how his role as Denny Duquette on Grey’s Anatomy completely transformed his career. He reflected on how, before landing the part, he had spent years struggling in Hollywood with little recognition. But after appearing in the ABC medical drama, everything changed. Morgan revealed that the role was so impactful that he hasn’t auditioned for a single part since, crediting Denny with opening doors to major opportunities, including roles in P.S. I Love You and Watchmen.
"That show honestly gave me a career. I was doing that, Weeds and Supernatural simultaneously… I've auditioned zero times since playing Denny Duquette."
Honestly, this isn't shocking given how unforgettable Denny is to fans. His tragic love story with Izzie Stevens became one of the most emotional and iconic storylines in Grey’s Anatomy history. From their tender romantic connection to the devastating moment of his death, fans still remember and talk about the couple with a mix of admiration and heartbreak.
Morgan also shared with People how his role as Denny continues to occupy his thoughts and remains very important to him, regardless of the other roles he has played. He spoke about how every once in a while, he comes across old scenes or posts on social media that remind him of the character, sparking a wave of emotions.
"I think about him a lot. Every now and again, I'll see something on social media, a scene or something, and I'm just like, 'F---.'"
He also expressed gratitude toward Shonda Rhimes, the show’s creator, calling the opportunity “lightning in a bottle." In other words, it was a rare and extraordinary moment that came at just the right time, giving him a breakthrough role that changed the course of his career.
You can currently catch Morgan as host of the new reality competition series Destination X. New episodes air on Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC.
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