Ellen Pompeo
Nov. 10, 1969
She is born in Everett, Massachusetts. Her father is from Gesualdo, Italy.
Early 1970s
Her mother dies when Ellen is just four years old.
1996
While bartending at the SoHo Bar & Grill in Miami, an agent approaches her and suggests she star in commercials. She ends up doing commercials for L'Oreal and Citibank.
2001
Moves to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
2002
Gets her big break in the film Moonlight Mile, playing Bertie Knox. The film also stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, and Susan Sarandon.
Dec. 25, 2002
The Stephen Spielberg film Catch Me If You Can is released starring Leonard DiCaprio, Tom Hanks
Christopher Walken, and Martin Sheen. Pompeo has a small role as Marci.
Feb. 9, 2003
Daredevil is released. Pompeo plays Karen Page, Matt Murdock's (Ben Affleck) secretary. However, most of her scenes were deleted before the film release.
Feb. 21, 2003
Old School is released. Pompeo stars as Nicole, the love interest of Luke Wilson's character, Mitch Martin. The film also stars Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, Juliette Lewis and Jeremy Piven.
Late 2003
Breaks up with boyfriend Andrew Rosenthal, whom she'd met while working as a cocktail waitress in Miami.
2004
Appears as Missy Goldberg on an episode of Friends, "The One Where the Stripper Cries."
2005
Plays Jim Carrey's ex-girlfriend in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but all of her films are deleted before the film is released.
March 27, 2005
Grey's Anatomy debuts mid-season with Pompeo in the role of Meredith Grey. The show becomes an instant hit and Pompeo is officially a star.
Sept 25, 2005
The second season of Grey's Anatomy begins.
Dec. 4, 2005
She gets Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher.
Sept. 21, 2006
The third season of Grey's Anatomy begins.
