Five Fast Facts About Grey’s Anatomy Star Ellen Pompeo

Ellen Pompeo is not only the star of Grey’s Anatomy, which has been on the air for a crazy 15 seasons, but she’s also one of the most successful television actors of all time. After landing the role of Meredith Grey on the ABC drama, Pompeo established a name for herself in the world of acting.

Though die-hard Grey’s fans may think they already know everything there is to know about the ABC network star, here are five fast facts about Ellen Pompeo.

1. Bartender
Before making millions as one of the most successful television actors of all time, Pompeo had to make her living as a bartender in New York City. In fact, she booked one of her first jobs in a commercial because a casting agent saw her at the restaurant when he came in for a drink.

2. Baby of the Family
Pompeo was born in Everett, Massachusetts and is the youngest of six siblings in her Catholic family, where all of them are at least eight years older than her. She has three sisters and two brothers and grew up outside of Boston.

3. Grocery Store Guy
After moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting, Pompeo actually met her husband, Chris Ivery, at a grocery store! What’s even stranger is Pompeo and Ivery actually grew up just miles away from each other in Massachusetts.

4. One Witness
Pompeo and Ivery decided to tie the knot in 2007, but they didn’t want a big and fancy wedding. Instead, they decided to get married at City Hall in New York with just one witness — Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

5. Law & Order
Like a lot of great actors, especially those who live in New York City, the 49-year-old made her television acting debut in Law & Order back in 1996. She then returned to the show in 2000 but playing a different character this time.