MW Actor Patrick Dempsey recalls fond memories of his tiny home town in Maine

By Kelsi Karruli

The 'Grey's Anatomy' star and race car driver on his first job at a recycling center

Patrick Dempsey attends the BAFTA Film Awards in London on Feb. 22, 2026.

"Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey has lifted the lid on his childhood growing up in a quaint Maine town-revealing the stark differences between that experience and the life he lives today.

The 60-year-old actor took to Instagram to share a photo of his hometown of Turner, Maine, that was sent to him by his friend, Dennis Richardson.

Remarking on the image, Dempsey took the opportunity to look back on some of his favorite memories of the locale.

"Town I grew up in, looks like it's from the late 19th century," he wrote. "The building to the left is where I worked with my father and Dennis Richardson, who sent me this photo this morning."

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The black-and-white snap shows multiple buildings, a bridge, and railroad tracks. In the corner, "Turner, Maine" is stamped.

The actor also reflected on one of his first jobs while growing up in the small town-explaining that he used to earn money by working in a recycling center, although at the time it was known as the local "redemption center."

"It was the beginning of what was called recycling," he recalled. "The building was a redemption center where people would bring in bottles and we would give them $.05-$.10 depending on the size or the type of bottle.

"And then we would sort them and the companies who sold those specific brands would come and pick up the empties."

Patrick Dempsey leans on a balcony at the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco in Monte-Carlo last year.

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While Dempsey has since moved on to a much more lucrative career in front of the cameras, appearing in several major roles, including the part of Dr. Derek Shepherd in Shonda Rhimes' acclaimed series "Grey's Anatomy," the actor noted that he would love the opportunity to "step back in time" and experience his hometown in its earliest days.

"Many a fond memory. Wouldn't it be nice to step back in time and see and feel what it was like when this picture was taken," he wrote.

Dempsey went on to call attention to Turner's industrial history, noting that many of the manufacturing businesses that once thrived in the town are no longer there.

"... Many of those businesses are no longer, but the buildings still remain and remind us of what was once a great thriving industry," he continued. "This particular building was a Masonic hall originally."

According to the 2020 Census, Turner had a population of 5,187. It is also home to Turner Town House, which is a town hall and one of the oldest buildings in the state. The building, which was built in 1831, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

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In 2008, the actor opened up the Dempsey Center near the town. The Dempsey Center provides free cancer care.

In 2021, he spoke to Maine Magazine about his hometown.

"For me, Maine's very important. I think one of the best pieces of advice I got was to never forget where you came from. I grew up in a small town outside Lewiston-Auburn called Turner for the first 12 years of my life.

"I went from having the luxury of getting lost in the wilderness of Maine to the New York City life at 17, but my roots and my origin, if you will, are in Maine. It's always nice to come back, go to the Dempsey Center, and also just be centered," he said.

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While the actor is primarily based in Malibu, along with his wife, Jillian Dempsey, he still owns a home in Maine-a sprawling property that is located in the tony community of Kennebunkport, where George W. Bush's family has long maintained a large estate.

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In an interview with the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, the actor previously revealed how important the time he spent in Maine was to him, particularly because it allowed him to spend time in the great outdoors.

"Maine has given me a powerful sense of values, traditions, and community. It has taught me independence and understanding," he shared. "It is truly a special place. I think there's an altruistic nature to most Mainers who have a real sense of giving back.

"Now that I have a place in Kennebunkport, I get to go back and connect to the land more. I have a place to center and reflect on where I've come from and where I'm going. It always brings up a lot of emotion and memories for me."

This story originally ran on Realtor.com.

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April 29, 2026 05:00 ET (09:00 GMT)

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