Patrick Dempsey’s Need For Speed And A Good Travel Playlist

Patrick Dempsey can switch lanes with the best of them. He was the lead actor in many TV watchers’ dreams for his portrayal of Dr. Derek Shepherd in 250-plus episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. But the man who was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2023 also has reoccurring roles in your nightmares. After all, he did play a sheriff in the holiday slasher Thanksgiving last year and will star in the upcoming dark Showtime series Dexter: Original Sin.

Oh, and then there are the literal lanes that Dempsey swerves in. A passionate race car driver who owns Dempsey Racing, the Ferrari star gets behind the wheel of 394-horsepowered machines as often as possible, which explains why he’s the perfect person to endorse the exquisite TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 watch. Forbes Travel Guide recently took a quick lap around with Dempsey to talk about racing cars, taking road trips and missing home.

Where do you find ultimate happiness, on a film set or behind the wheel of a race car?

I find ultimate happiness when I am behind the wheel of a race car. I’m so happy and grateful to be back racing. I truly have missed racing so much and I am enjoying being back on the track.

I also do find happiness working on a film, especially when I enjoy the script and am challenged by playing a different type of character. When the camera is rolling, the hardest part is waiting. When I am in the car, the hardest part is the downtime for me.

How did you fall in love with cars?

My love of cars started when I was very young. My father loved racing, so it started with him.

What is it about TAG Heuer that made you want to partner with the brand?

TAG Heuer was a sponsor and that is how the relationship started. I am very proud to have a partnership with TAG Heuer. I was happy to be a part of that racing history.

How much thought do you put into your timepiece when packing for a getaway?

It really depends on where I am going, what new watch has been released and what activity [I’m doing on the trip]. I usually bring a vintage watch and the watch that is part of a new campaign. If I am racing, I usually bring lighter-weight watches. But it really depends on what the event is. I try to match my watch. I arrived for the Road America race and I brought the [TAG Heuer] Monza watch and the Dark Lord Monaco.

Tell me a few tracks that make up the Patrick Dempsey road trip playlist.

My playlist is really eclectic. I love jazz, techno, old rock ’n’ roll, classic rock and pop music. I like a little bit of everything. The one thing I do travel with is the KCRW app. I find that to be a great source of not only the news, but public radio stations here in the U.S. I travel around the world and always listen to the news and music.

You grew up in Maine. What do you miss most about the Northeast?

I get back to Maine quite a bit, but the one thing I do miss while living in L.A. is the change of the seasons. I just absolutely love when the seasons change.

Your Instagram feed is filled with trips to Italy, Monaco and other places. Where are you excited to visit next?

I very much enjoy being in Europe. Unfortunately, I am shooting in L.A. for the rest of the year and won’t be able to do a lot of travel to Europe. But I am very grateful to have a job in California. I’m just not able to travel as much as I would like right now.

What acting projects do you have coming up next?

I am currently filming Dexter: Original Sin, which [will premiere on streaming Dec. 13 on Paramount+ with Showtime, and debut Dec. 15 on Showtime].

MORE FROM FORBES

ForbesTaking Shots And Talking Montana With Jason MomoaBy DeMarco WilliamsForbesWhy Seattle Reigns To WNBA Star Jewell LoydBy DeMarco WilliamsForbesForbes Travel Guide’s 25 Most Anticipated Hotel Openings Of 2025By Forbes Travel GuideForbes10 Hotels With Amazing Outdoor AdventuresBy Katie Sweeney