Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey made a poignant appearance at the BAFTAs with his daughter Talula Fyfe Dempsey, just days after the tragic death of his former co-star Eric Dane. The actor, known for his role as Derek 'McDreamy' Shepherd, attended the ceremony on 22 February 2026, supported by his 24-year-old daughter following the announcement of Dane's passing on 20 February.
Emotional Support on the Red Carpet
Patrick Dempsey, aged 59, wore a black suit and sunglasses as he posed on the red carpet with Talula, who chose a simple black sheath dress for the event. The sombre attire reflected the recent loss of Eric Dane, who died at age 53 after a years-long battle with motor neurone disease. Dempsey and his wife Jillian Fink are also parents to twin sons Darby and Sullivan, aged 19.
Tribute to a Beloved Co-Star
In an emotional tribute on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Dempsey shared his grief over Dane's death. He described waking up to the sad news and expressed deep sadness for Dane's children, noting the actor's deteriorating quality of life due to the disease. Dempsey remembered Dane as "the funniest man" and a joy to work with, highlighting their instant chemistry on set.
"He had a great sense of humour. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly," Dempsey recalled. "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."
Legacy on Grey's Anatomy
Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane shared a significant on-screen friendship on Grey's Anatomy, where Dane played Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan, the best friend of Dempsey's character. Dane was written out of the show after his character died from injuries in a plane crash, while Dempsey's character later died in a car crash. Their real-life bond mirrored their fictional camaraderie, with Dempsey emphasising their mutual respect and fun moments together.
BAFTA Ceremony Highlights
The BAFTAs, hosted by actor Alan Cumming, featured a star-studded guest list including Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul Mescal, and Prince William and Princess Kate. The Princess of Wales' appearance marked her first since 2023, following her cancer diagnosis and recovery. Dempsey and his daughter were among the many attendees at the prestigious event, which celebrated excellence in film and television.
Dempsey concluded his tribute by celebrating the joy Dane brought to people's lives, stating, "I'm always going to remember those moments of fun that we had together and celebrate the joy that he did bring to people's lives and the real loss is for us who don't have them anymore."
