Patrick Dempsey may be best known for his 11 seasons as heartthrob Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd on “Grey’s Anatomy.” But the 53-year-old father of three — with his wife, celebrity makeup and hair stylist Jillian Dempsey — has a very different fan base in Monaco. Since 2004, Dempsey has raced in some of the most prestigious auto events on Earth, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race and the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. (He even owns his own Dempsey Racing team.) So it’s no surprise that he’s made TAG Heuer his partner in speed. “The Monaco watch is so much a part of racing,” Dempsey says of the legendary watch worn by Steve McQueen in the classic 1971 Hollywood driving flick “Le Mans,” praising the “remarkable” vision of Jack Heuer, TAG’s honorary CEO and the great-grandson of its founder. When he isn’t behind the wheel, Dempsey supports charitable organizations, such as his Maine-based Dempsey Center, which provides no-cost help to those battling cancer. Here are a few of the things that keep the actor’s life on track.

“I would really love to work with cutting-edge technology, and have spoken with Jack Heuer about working together on a Connected watch. He is a technical engineer by nature, and I think it would be a fascinating project.”

“I have been spending a lot of time in Maine to grow the reach of my cancer center, the Dempsey Center. I also grew up in Maine, so it’s very close to my heart.”

“I was captivated by Ka/Noa’s approach from the moment I made my first order and was amazed by the quality and the attention to detail. As a very detail-focused person, I have a strong connection to the brand’s philosophy, the people driving it and a deep respect for all that has been achieved.”

“It’s an electric bike, and very fast, so you can still get in a good workout on your commute. It’s always a little bit of a shock when you get back onto a real bike after riding one. You’re like, ‘What’s going on? Is there a flat tire? What happened?’”

“I am so proud of [my wife], Jill, and all she has accomplished with her company. I have actually used the gold bar before red-carpet events and can always tell the difference in photos.”

“My first car was a 1963 Porsche 356, and I bought it right off the street. It had a simple ‘For sale’ sign in the window, so I phoned the owner. That must have been in 1987 or 1988. I’ve owned that car ever since — and I still drive it as often as I can.”

“I’ve always been a fan of the Monaco watch and own a 1972 version I purchased myself at auction. I was just coming off ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and wanted something to commemorate the completion of the show and the start of my new relationship with TAG Heuer and racing.”

“I live in my L.L. Bean boots — there is truly not a better option on the market. I love that the company has been headquartered in Maine since it began in the early 1900s, and their commitment to creating quality items.”

“I discovered the Italian luxury brand Brunello Cucinelli a few years ago, and I have quickly become their biggest fan. They have become my go-to for a great suit.”

“I’ve been using Molton Brown shower gel for years. It just smells fantastic.”

“I have been listening to [Santa Monica, Calif., NPR affiliate] KCRW for so many years. They have been tremendous supporters of the Dempsey Center, and I am lucky to have them as my friends.”


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