Ellen Pompeo

Ellen Kathleen Pompeo was born in Everett, Massachusetts, to Kathleen B. (O'Keefe) and Joseph E. Pompeo, a salesman. She is of Italian (from her paternal grandfather), Irish, and some English, ancestry.Pompeo made her major studio screen debut in 'Brad Silberling' (qv)'s _Moonlight Mile (2002)_ (qv), starring alongside 'Susan Sarandon' (qv), 'Dustin Hoffman' (qv) and 'Jake Gyllenhaal' (qv). She received outstanding reviews for her portrayal of an outspoken young woman carrying a silent burden that's breaking her heart.Pompeo starred opposite 'Luke Wilson' (qv), 'Vince Vaughn' (qv) and 'Will Ferrell' (qv) in the wildly successful _Old School (2003)_ (qv) and, before that, in 'Steven Spielberg' (qv)'s _Catch Me If You Can (2002)_ (qv), opposite 'Leonardo DiCaprio' (qv).Pompeo has starred in several independent features, including _In the Weeds (2000)_ (qv) and _Coming Soon (1999)_ (qv), and _Life of the Party (2005)_ (qv). Since 2005, she has played Dr. Meredith Grey on the television series _Grey's Anatomy (2005)_ (qv).::Mia