Every Star Who’s Left ‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Where Are They Now?

Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Every Star Who's Left 'Grey's Anatomy': Where Are They Now?

The night … was March 27, 2005. Television titan Shonda Rhimes knew what she had just created — but audiences still had no idea.

The Grey’s Anatomy pilot introduced several characters, including the show’s protagonist, legacy surgical resident Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). Spunky, undoubtedly intelligent and full of heart, the show wouldn’t survive without its titular character — but the ensemble is what keeps viewers tuning in 15 years later.

That’s why it hits fans hard every time a character gets the boot. Whether they’re killed off (as many Grey’s characters have been) or simply written out of the show, over a dozen of Seattle Grace’s/Seattle Grace Mercy West’s/Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital’s finest have left.

Most recently, Justin Chambers, who played bad-boy resident turned compassionate pediatric surgeon turned chief of surgery Alex Karev, announced his departure after 16 seasons.

“There’s no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that’s defined so much of my life for the past 15 years,” the 49-year-old actor said in a statement to Us Weekly. “For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time.”

Chambers thanked ABC, Rhimes and the original cast of Grey’s “for the extraordinary ride.” What’s even more shocking, though, is that Karev doesn’t get a proper goodbye.

According to TVLine, the actor’s final episode of the ABC series aired two months before he confirmed he was leaving the show. Viewers may recall that Alex went to visit his ill mother during the November 14 episode of the series. Chambers did not appear in the midseason finale on November 21.

Here’s to hoping he’ll be on TV again soon, like many of the actors who exited Grey’s before him. 

Keep scrolling to see what T.R. Knight (George O’Malley), Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd) and others have been up to since leaving the ABC hit.

Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Kelly McCreary (Dr. Maggie Pierce)

The actress confirmed in March 2023 that she was leaving the medical drama after almost a decade. 

"After nine seasons, I am saying goodbye to Maggie Pierce and her Grey Sloan family,” she told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “It has been a tremendous honor to be a part of such a legendary television institution as Grey’s Anatomy. I will always be grateful to Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff and ABC for the opportunity, and to the incredible fans for their passionate support.” 

The Castle alum expressed her “profound gratitude” for her time on the show, sharing that playing the character of Maggie Pierce was “one of the true joys of my life.” 

She continued: “To spend nine years exploring a character inside and out, while reaching a global audience with impactful stories, is a rare gift. It has afforded me an opportunity to collaborate with, learn from and be inspired by countless brilliant artists both in front of and behind the camera … I am excited for this next chapter, and what the future holds."

McCreary later took to Instagram to further reflect on her time with Grey's, writing, "9 seasons, 200 episodes, scores of heroic surgeries, countless brave patients, dozens of delightful sister house scenes, 1 episode with my real-life sister, some loss and some grief, a few ghostly visitations from mothers, a handful of boyfriends, 2 gorgeous weddings, a bunch of drunken emotional breakdowns, 1 high-speed chase, several awkward dinner parties, 1 punch taken (1 punch thrown), at least 1 pratfall, buckets of tears, innumerable fits of laughter, all the medical jargon mastered, a slew of friends for life, myriad collaborators who grew me as an artist, 1 grateful heart and 1 massive THANK YOU. What a ride! 🥹♥️🙏🏾."

Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Richard Flood (Cormac Hayes)

When: Season 18, Episode 10

How: Hayes quit his job at Grey Sloan Memorial after a near-fatal car accident with Owen and Teddy.

Why: Flood told Deadline that “having three years on the show felt right” for him: “And I think that the arc of the character with all the developments in the story was probably coming to its natural end, which was great. I was very happy that everybody felt the same.” He also acknowledged that his character’s arc — and love story with Meredith — changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic story line and production changes.

Whether He’ll Return: In the same March 2022 interview, Flood didn’t seem to have much interest in a potential return. “As for what I would miss about playing him, I don’t know. When I finish something, I kind of just let it go,” he said. “It’s done and there for people to see, and I don’t tend to revisit it very much. I just let it go, it’s in the back pocket, great experience, and move on.”

Credit: WILL OLIVER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Sandra Oh (Dr. Cristina Yang)

Since retiring neurosurgeon Cristina Yang’s sutures and unrivaled stern faces in 2014, Sandra Oh has starred on TV shows including American Crime and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Most famously, she won a Golden Globe in 2019 for her performance as Eve Polastri on Killing Eve. That year, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, with Rhimes penned an essay about her former collaborator. “With her nuanced characters, Sandra Oh has chosen to fearlessly take up space in a universe that has not always made space for her. Now, the power of her talented presence makes space for others,” the Shondaland founder wrote. “And that is a gift to every artist of color who follows in her footsteps.”

Credit: Rob Latour/Variety/Shutterstock

Isaiah Washington (Dr. Preston Burke)

Isaiah Washington was written off the ABC drama after then-costar Knight alleged he heard the actor using homophobic slurs backstage in 2007. He later denied the allegations, but it was decided that Washington wouldn’t return as Preston Burke after season 4. Since then, he’s appeared on The CW’s The 100 and published a memoir titled A Man from Another Land: How Finding My Roots Changed My Life.

In March 2023, Washington announced that he was retiring from acting.

Credit: Sundholm Magnus/Action Press/Shutterstock

Katherine Heigl (Dr. Izzie Stevens)

Despite winning a Primetime Emmy in 2007 for playing Dr. Izzie Stevens, Katherine Heigl’s drama with Rhimes — and her claim the show’s material didn’t warrant her an Emmy nod the following year — led to her eventual exit. Since departing during the show’s sixth season, the actress has continued her movie career, but it’s her TV career that blossomed — scoring roles on State of Affairs, Doubt, and Suits. Heigl and her husband, musician Josh Kelley, have three children together. 

Credit: Scott Kirkland/Fox/PictureGroup/Shutterstock

T.R. Knight (Dr. George O'Malley)

Sweet, innocent O’Malley. One of the hardest hitting characters deaths in the show’s history, Knight’s 007 (as he was dubbed by his fellow residents) died during the season 6 premiere after being hit by a bus. The actor has gone on to have a successful career, starring on shows including The Good Wife and The Bravest Knight. In addition, according to his Instagram, Knight has quite the green thumb. 

Credit: Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock

Brooke Smith (Dr. Erica Hahn)

Smith’s cardiothoracic surgeon Erica Hahn caused some trouble for three seasons on Grey’s — striking up a romantic connection with Callie Torres and becoming an instant nemesis to Dr. Burke. Though, the character got the boot after just three seasons. Since her departure in 2008, the actress has appeared in numerous TV shows and films including Ray Donovan, Bates Motel, Bosch and Interstellar.

Credit: Aurora Rose/Shutterstock

Kate Walsh (Dr. Addison Montgomery)

Derek Shepherd’s estranged first wife and world-renowned neonatal surgeon, played by Kate Walsh, originally left the series after three seasons — but has made appearances here and there. Since 2012, the actress starred in the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, Private Practice, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 13 Reasons Why and more. She is also the founder of perfume brand Boyfriend. In October 2022, she announced her engagement to farmer Andrew Nixon, whom she began dating in early 2020. 

Credit: David Maung/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Chyler Leigh (Dr. Lexie Grey)

Another tragic death, Chyler Leigh’s Lexie Grey (Meredith’s long lost half-sister) was killed off in the tragic plane crash of season 8. Since exiting the show in 2012 after 5 seasons, the actress has starred on Supergirl as Alex Danvers and, subsequently, many more of the CW’s Arrowverse series. Leigh and her husband, Nathan West, share three children. 

Credit: Rob Latour/Variety/Shutterstock

Eric Dane (Dr. Mark Sloan)

McSteamy’s death was just as tragic as Lexie’s, yes, but his exit made way for some exciting TV roles. After Dane’s Mark Sloan was killed off following the season 8 plane crash (no one knew if he was going to make it!), the actor went on to star in The Last Ship and HBO’s Euphoria as a man struggling with his sexuality. Eric Dane also has two daughters, whom he shares with ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart. 

Credit: SYSPEO/SIPA/Shutterstock

Patrick Dempsey (Dr. Derek Shepherd)

Fans (and Meredith) got to hold onto world-famous neurosurgeon and all-around babe McDreamy for 11 seasons before he was killed off by a terrible accident and newbie surgeon who didn’t give him a CT scan. Since his exit in 2015, Dempsey’s starred in Bridget Jones’s Baby, a TV mini-series called The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, and Devils. He shares three children with his wife, Jillian Fink. 

Credit: Kristin Callahan/Ace/Shutterstock

Sara Ramirez (Dr. Callie Torres)

As orthopedic surgeon Callie Torres, Sara Ramirez exited the medical drama after nearly a decade. Soon after leaving Grey’s in May 2016, the actress publicly came out as bisexual in October that same year. In the years since, the Mexico native starred on Sofia the First and Madam Secretary. 

Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Jerrika Hinton (Dr. Stephanie Edwards)

As part of the hospital’s new class of interns, Hinton took her final bow as Stephanie Edwards during the season 13 finale when her character was badly burned in an explosion at the hospital. Hinton left the show for a role on HBO’s Here and Now. Her new show, Hunters, premieres on Amazon Prime Video in February. 

Credit: Gustavo Caballero/South Beach Photo/Shutterstock

Martin Henderson (Dr. Nathan Riggs)

Joining during season 12, Henderson’s Nathan Riggs was meant to be a romantic interest for Meredith — but their love never fully formed. Since departing during season 14, Henderson has appeared on Netflix’s Virgin River and has more projects in the works. 

Credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru/Shutterstock

Sarah Drew (Dr. April Kepner)

From season 6 to season 14, Sarah Drew’s April Kepner went from a somewhat annoying and overeager resident to a fan-favorite mature doctor — with tons of relatable emotional baggage. Since her exit in 2018, the actress has kept busy with films like Indivisible and Twinkle All the Way. She also has two children with husband Peter Lanfer. 

Credit: Jim Smeal/Shutterstock

Jessica Capshaw (Dr. Arizona Robbins)

As zany and bubbly pediatric surgeon Arizona Robbins, Jessica Capshaw (the stepdaughter of Steven Spielberg) was a favorite amongst fans — even more so after she lost her leg in the season 8 plane crash and showed a different side of herself. However, Capshaw’s character was unexpectedly written off after 10 seasons, and she ended her tenure as Arizona in 2018. The actress has two projects reportedly in post-production and is married with four children.