Rocky Parker Was Patrick Dempsey's Ex-wife - Their Marriage Lasted Less than a Decade

Rocky Parker and Patrick Dempsey's marriage made headlines due to their huge their age difference. Even though their union was short-lived, the actor expressed that he gained valuable insights and lessons from the experience.

Rocky Parker, born on February 26, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, was married to "Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey for a couple of years before the pair called it quits.

Parker and Dempsey were not just a couple but they two worked together. She was his manager and even had minor roles in some of the movies Dempsey starred in, like the 1989 romance film, "Happy Together."

Patrick Dempsey and ex-wife Rocky Parker on October 11, 1990, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images

Inside Rocky Parker and Dempsey's Marriage

Rocky Parker and Dempsey's union garnered significant media attention during the late 1980s and early 1990s mainly because of their wide age gap. The two tied the knot when Parker was 47 years old while Dempsey was 21.

Parker, who was 26 years older than Dempsey, served as both his manager and acting coach. Despite concerns about their age difference at the time, the former couple appeared unbothered.

They tied the knot in 1999 in an intimate wedding ceremony at Dempsey's family's farmhouse in Maine and have since welcomed three children.

Patrick Dempsey and ex-wife Rocky Parker on February 23, 1990, at Pazzia Restaurant, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Although their marriage ended in divorce in 1993 after a few years, Dempsey expressed that he gained valuable lessons from his union with Parker. "I got a lot out of it; it made me a much better man," he said.

Despite being married for a few years, Parker and Dempsey's relationship faced many challenges. As their relationship deteriorated, so did Dempsey's status in the entertainment industry. The actor remarked that at the time, he was not on the hot list anymore, partly because of some box office failures.

Patrick Dempsey's Ex-wife Was an Actress

Rocky Parker made a name for herself as a talented actress. She showcased her acting prowess in several projects, including the 1987 comedy romance film, "In the Mood," the 1989 comedy movie, "Happy Together," and the 2008 family comedy, "The Rainbow Tribe."

Patrick Dempsey and ex-wife Rocky Parker on August 24, 1987, at the Baronet Theater in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Parker and her ex-husband Dempsey also worked together. One of their joint projects was the 1987 romantic drama film "Can't Buy Me Love." In this movie, Dempsey portrayed the character Ronald Miller and shared the screen with the late actress Amanda Peterson. Meanwhile, Parker was part of the additional crew, serving as Dempsey's assistant in the production.

Even though Dempsey has starred in several movies and TV series, he is famously known for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd in the Emmy-Award-winning hit series, "Grey's Anatomy," which he played alongside Chandra Wilson, Ellen Pompeo, and Jesse Williams.

Patrick Dempsey and eex-wife Rocky Parker on August 16, 1990, at the Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

After Parker and Patrick Dempsey divorced, the actor found love again with his wife, Jillian Fink. They tied the knot in 1999 in an intimate wedding ceremony at Dempsey's family's farmhouse in Maine and have since welcomed three children.

Parker's love life after her divorce from Dempsey is less known. Unfortunately, Parker passed away in 2014, at the age of 74, in Los Angeles after losing her battle with lung and throat cancer.

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