Ellen Pompeo

Pompeo grew up in a family of Italian and Irish heritage. Her mother died when Pompeo was a child, and she was raised by her father and stepmother. After high school, she moved to Miami, where she worked in bars and restaurants before relocating to New York City. There she began auditioning for acting roles and soon picked up small parts on television and in film.

Her film career gained momentum in the early 2000s with roles in Moonlight Mile, Old School, and Daredevil. In 2005, Shonda Rhimes cast her as Dr. Meredith Grey in Grey's Anatomy. The ABC medical drama became a major hit, and Pompeo's character anchored its ensemble through multiple seasons and cast changes. The role brought her broad recognition and made her a fixture of American television.

Pompeo took on greater responsibilities behind the camera as the series continued, serving as a producer and later executive producer and directing episodes. Her contract negotiations drew attention in 2018 when a reported deal worth about $20 million a year made her one of the highest-paid actresses in primetime drama. She later scaled back her on-screen appearances while remaining an executive producer and continuing to provide Meredith's voiceover.

Pompeo married music producer Chris Ivery in 2007, and they have three children. She has also spoken publicly about pay equity for women in television.

Ellen Pompeo was born on November 10, 1969 in Everett, Massachusetts, United States. In Cardology (Destiny Cards), November 10, 1969 corresponds to the Ten of Clubs, making the Ten of Clubs her Birth Card.

In numerology, the name adds another layer to the birth-date profile. The letters of a person’s name are used to explore inner motivation, personality, expression, and the qualities they bring into relationships and everyday life. Explore how her original name Ellen Kathleen Pompeo influences her life and personality.