Even through a global pandemic, the cast of Grey’s Anatomy has managed to both comfort viewers at home and make headlines through their off screen antics. The popular medical drama, which was recently renewed for an 18th season, has had a tremendously devoted fan base since its 2005 premiere. Viewers stuck with the show as some of their favourite characters were killed off (or in some cases, fired off screen), and as the drama escalated behind the scenes.
How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy, a new book by Lynette Rice, revealed that Patrick Dempsey, who played the role of Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd, the brilliant brain surgeon and devoted husband to Dr. Meredith Grey, terrorized his colleagues on set. Though Dempsey made an appearance in season 17 of Grey’s, the book reveals a darker, tension-filled time on set. Ellen Pompeo, who plays series lead Meredith Grey, alluded to the drama, telling Vanity Fair “It’s funny: I never wanted off the bus in the year that I could get off. The first 10 years we had serious culture issues, very bad behavior, really toxic work environment.”
17 seasons and many cast departures and new additions later, Grey’s Anatomy seems to be as solid and as popular as ever. But which cast members, new and old, have the net worth to show for it? Here are the richest cast members, ranked.
10 Ellen Pompeo - $80 million
We should expect nothing less from the woman who plays the titular character on Grey’s. In 2018, Ellen Pompeo told The Hollywood Reporter she had re-negotiated her salary and was now making $575,000 per episode - which translated into $20 million per season, making her the highest paid actress in dramatic television. Cha ching! Not bad for someone who initially didn’t want to be stuck on a TV show. Pompeo’s producing credits and re-negotiated salary put her networth in the ballpark of $80 million.
9 Patrick Dempsey - $80 million
When Patrick Dempsey first graced our screens as the beautiful McDreamy, he was actually considered the star of the show and being paid more than Ellen Pompeo. He was arguably the best known cast member at the time, after having appeared in movies such as Lover Boy, Sweet Home Alabama, Enchanted and Made of Honor. At the height of the show’s popularity, Dempsey was earning up to $350,000 per episode, equal to $8 million per season and resulting in his net worth of $80 million. Dempsey’s departure from Grey’s was the catalyst to Ellen Pompeo renegotiating her salary and finally being paid more than her ex-costar (and former on-screen husband).
8 Katherine Heigl - $30 million
Though Katherine Heigl had been acting since the early 1990’s, including a stint on Roswell, it was her portrayal of Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevens on Grey’s that led to her big break and her impressive $30 million net worth. At the height of her Grey’s fame, Heigl starred in Knocked Up, The Ugly Truth, and 27 Dresses. Though Heigl’s exit was controversial, to say the least, it did allow for her to branch out into movies and star in Killers, Life as We Know It, New Year’s Eve, One For The Money and TV shows such as Suits and Firefly Lane. She recently said she hasn’t ruled out a return to Grey’s Anatomy.
7 Sandra Oh - $25 million
Sandra Oh made Dr. Cristina Yang a fan favourite early on, and her incredible acting skills have allowed her to flourish outside of the Grey’s Anatomy universe. Oh eventually worked her way up to a $350,000 per episode salary, making between $8 million and $9 million per season. Oh has since starred in the critically acclaimed Killing Eve, and is getting rave reviews for her performance in the new Netflix series The Chair.
6 Kate Walsh - $20 million
Kate Walsh recently announced her return to Grey’s Anatomy after departing the show during season 3 to star on her own spin-off, Private Practice. After 6 seasons of Private Practice, Walsh seemed to have found a home on Netflix, starring in 13 Reasons Why, Emily in Paris, and The Umbrella Academy. Walsh reportedly earned around $175,000 per Grey’s episode, and her additional Netflix contracts likely contributed to her $20 million net worth.
5 Jessica Capshaw - $20 million
With her $20 million net worth, Jessica Capshaw is one of the richest Grey’s cast members that wasn’t part of the original group, joining the show in its 5th season as Dr. Arizona Robbins. Before her scene stealing Grey’s role, Capshaw starred in TV series such as The Practice, ER, and Odd Man Out. Fun fact - Capshaw is Steven Spielberg’s stepdaughter.
4 Justin Chambers - $18 million
Model turned actor Justin Chambers’ net worth is nothing to scoff at. Best known for playing cocky Dr. Alex Karev on Grey’s, Chambers became one of the last members of the original group of interns to stay on the show, ultimately leaving in 2020 after 15 seasons. His time on Grey’s led to his $18 million net worth, and he recently signed on to play Marlon Brandon in an upcoming mini-series.
3 Jesse Williams - $12 million
Like his co-star Jessica Capshaw, Jesse Williams also joined Grey’s Anatomy in its later seasons, becoming a series regular in season 7. The actor and activist has earned his $12 million net worth through roles in films such as The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and The Cabin in the Woods, and appearances in TV shows such as Little Fires Everywhere and Station 19. In his spare time, the actor is also a well known activist, with significant involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement.
2 James Pickens Jr. - $13 million
Playing Chief Richard Webber was not James Pickens Jr’s first television rodeo. The actor has been acting professionally since the 1970’s, appearing in films such as 42, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and Nixon, and TV shows such as The X Files, JAG, Roseanne, and Doogie Howser M.D. Pickens Jr is one of the only remaining original cast members of Grey’s Anatomy alongside Ellen Pompeo and Chandra Wilson. He has appeared in almost 400 episodes, which undoubtedly explains his $13 million net worth!
1 Chandra Wilson - $10 million
Chandra Wilson is likely best known for her role as Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey’s Anatomy, though she has also appeared on The Cosby Show, Sex and the City, Law and Order, and The Sopranos. Alongside her co-stars Ellen Pompeo and James Pickens Jr, Wilson completes the trio of the only original cast members left on Grey’s from season 1. Wilson’s net worth of $10 million may even increase as she continues to play Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey’s Anatomy’s 18th season.
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