Patrick Dempsey made a poignant appearance at the BAFTA Film Awards held at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, just days after the tragic passing of his Grey's Anatomy co-star Eric Dane at the age of 53. The actor's death was confirmed by his family in a statement released on Thursday, less than one year after he publicly announced his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS.
A Heartbreaking Tribute on the Red Carpet
Patrick Dempsey, aged 60, arrived at the prestigious ceremony supported by his 24-year-old daughter, Talula Fyfe Dempsey, following his emotional public tribute to his late colleague and friend. He cut a suave and sophisticated figure on the red carpet, dressed in a stylish black tuxedo layered over a crisp white shirt and complemented by a velvet dickie bow. The actor shielded his eyes behind dark sunglasses and wore his signature silver locks swept back as he strolled arm-in-arm with his daughter, who stunned attendees in an elegant black gown.
The Dempsey family includes Patrick's wife, Jillian Fink, and their twin sons, Darby and Sullivan, who are 19 years old. This public appearance marked a bittersweet moment for the actor, balancing celebration with profound personal loss.
Remembering Eric Dane: A Legacy of Joy and Awareness
Earlier in the week, Patrick Dempsey revealed that his last conversation with Eric Dane occurred approximately one week before his passing. He expressed a desire to remember his co-star for the "moments of fun that we had together," highlighting Dane's vibrant personality and professional camaraderie.
Eric Dane was renowned for his portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately nicknamed McSteamy, on the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy, while Patrick Dempsey starred as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd. Their on-screen chemistry translated into a genuine off-screen friendship built on mutual respect and shared humour.
Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Friday, Patrick Dempsey shared his deep sorrow and reflected on Dane's enduring legacy. He described waking to the sad news, stating, "It's hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children." He provided insight into Dane's final days, noting, "He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly."
Dempsey fondly recalled Dane's infectious humour and positive impact on set, saying, "He was the funniest man - he was such a joy to work with and I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it. He had a great sense of humour. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly."
He reminisced about their first scene together, humorously noting, "First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant." Dempsey emphasized their non-competitive relationship, rooted in "wonderful mutual respect," and praised Dane's intelligence.
Patrick Dempsey concluded his tribute by celebrating the joy Dane brought to others and his efforts to raise awareness about ALS. "He did an incredible job at bringing awareness to this horrible disease and those remaining days and it just reminds us that we all have to celebrate every day like it's our last day," he stated. He urged people to cherish moments with family, practice kindness, and uphold positive values, particularly in challenging times.
BAFTA Ceremony Highlights and Celebrity Presence
Hosted by Alan Cumming, this year's BAFTA ceremony attracted a constellation of stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi, and Michael B. Jordan, honouring the year's most significant cinema releases. Red carpet arrivals were treated to a DJ set by Magic FM presenter Neev Spencer, while Clara Amfo and Ali Plumb provided live reports from outside the iconic London venue.
A diverse array of celebrity guest presenters graced the event, including Aimee Lou Wood, Alicia Vikander, Cillian Murphy, Ethan Hawke, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Sadie Sink, and British grime artist Stormzy. The Royal Festival Hall stage also welcomed appearances from Kerry Washington, Minnie Driver, Monica Bellucci, and Regé-Jean Page, among others.
Entertainment for the evening featured a broad spectrum of performers, notably the first performance outside the United States of the record-breaking track Golden by KPop Demon Hunters, sung by JAE, AUDREYNUNA, and REI AMI, the voices of HUNTR/X.
Notable Nominations and Record-Breaking Achievements
The EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 showcased a competitive field with One Battle After Another leading the nominations with 14 nods, including one for lead star Leonardo DiCaprio. Other standout films included Marty Supreme with eleven nominations and Sinners with eleven nods overall.
Hamnet made history by breaking the record for the most nominations for a female-directed film in BAFTA history, while Sentimental Value secured eight nominations. The awards spanned categories from Best Film and Outstanding British Film to directing, acting, and technical achievements like cinematography, editing, and costume design.
The EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public, featured nominees including Robert Aramayo, Miles Caton, Chase Infiniti, Archie Madekwe, and Posy Sterling, highlighting emerging talent in the industry.
This year's BAFTAs not only celebrated cinematic excellence but also served as a platform for poignant personal reflections, as demonstrated by Patrick Dempsey's heartfelt remembrance of his late co-star Eric Dane, underscoring the profound connections forged through shared artistic endeavours.
