Grey’s Anatomy, the highly successful medical drama on ABC, provides the perfect opportunity for beginning and veteran actors to hone their skills and add to their repertoire of acting performances. The show reflects the real-life revolving door of people that you encounter in a hospital setting. There is a constant change in patients and medical professionals. This allows for the cast to be fluid and plentiful.
Just like we have our favorite doctors that we depend on, Grey’s Anatomy maintains a few characters that are familiar faces that we can depend on to save the day. Meredith, Derek, Alex and Cristina are just a few. During thirteen seasons, many different actors enter and exit the doors of Seattle Grace Hospital. If you decide to binge watch old episodes of the show, you certainly see actors that are characters in other familiar shows.
There are at least five actors that you probably forgot that were ever on Grey’s Anatomy. When you compare current or past roles with the performances on Grey’s, you may be surprised at how versatile these actors are.
Chris O’Donnell
Today you can watch Chris O’Donnell as undercover agent Callen in CBS’ show NCIS: Los Angeles. Who would think that this same actor plays the part of Dr. Finn Dandridge, a veterinarian, who treats Meredith’s dog. He quickly becomes a love interest for her. At this time, Derek is still with his wife, Addison Montgomery. Dandridge is a recurring character in a multi-episode storyline that consists of nine episodes during Seasons 2 and 3. The role of Dr. Dandridge ends when Meredith and Derek get back together. Dr. Dandridge is like the good guy who always finishes last.
Scott Foley
Any fan of Grey’s Anatomy knows what the letters, TGIT, mean. It is Thursday night and time for at least three hours of dramas that are Shonda Rimes’ claim to fame. I can not tell you how many years I watched Grey’s followed by Scandal and did not realize that the tough and complicated good guy/bad guy, Jake Ballard, is a soft and gentle soul, on Grey’s during Seasons 7 and 8. He plays the character, Henry Burton, who needs medical care and is unable to afford it.
Geena Davis
As an actress she receives much acclaim and praise for her role as Thelma in the 1991 classic movie Thelma and Louise. In other films, she co-stars with Tom Hanks, Madonna, Dustin Hoffman, and Rosie O’Donnell. In 2014, she joins the cast of our favorite Thursday night medical drama. Genna Davis plays Dr. Nicole Herman, a doctor with terminal cancer in Season 11. She spends her time trying to teach Dr. Arizona Robbins to be her replacement. Arizona finally convinces her to allow Dr. Amelia Shepherd to perform surgery to remove the tumor. The operation saves her life, but it leaves her blind. Dr. Herman leaves the hospital to go to the Blind Institute to learn how to live her life.
Elizabeth Reaser
While viewing The Twilight Saga, there is a woman that looks very familiar. Where have I seen her? Then, I make a connection. The mother figure to the Cullen family is a former actor on Grey’s Anatomy. Elizabeth Reaser Moore appears and reappears as a recurring cast member during Seasons 3 and 4. During Season 3, she is critically injured in the ferry crash. She is crushed beyond recognition and has no memories about herself or her life.
She is known as Jane Doe. Since Dr. Alex Karev rescues her, they develop a strong bond and fall in love. Dr. Mark Sloan reconstructs her face. With a new face and a need for an identity, she names herself Ava. Eventually, memories return, and she reunites with her family. Her true identity is Rebecca Pope. During Season 4, she keeps returning to the hospital to visit with Alex and try to resume her Ava personality. It becomes evident that she needs psychological help. You may recognize her from previous roles. She appears on The Sopranos. From 2002-2006, Reaser performs on Law and Order:Criminal Intent.
Mandy Moore
When I think of Mandy Moore, I think of a pop singer performing with the Boy Bands of the 90’s. Later, she enters the world of acting. She appears in a few episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. Actually, she appears in some of the darkest moments on the show. Moore plays the part of Mary Portman, a patient during the hospital shooting episodes. She is trapped with Dr. Bailey while an intern slowly dies. The fans of the show love her powerful performance in the season two-part finale.
The long running series, Grey’s Anatomy, provides a powerful show that combines the talents of the main cast with recurring guests and single episode appearances of many different actors. It allows us to see some of our favorites in a totally different situation. Just as in real hospital life, the characters are constantly changing.
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