Patrick Dempsey wanted to pursue a VERY different career before he became an actor

We're glad he moved on.

Patrick Dempsey is a much loved actor, who found his fame on Grey's Anatomy. We can't imagine the show without McDreamy but he didn't always plan pursuing a career in acting, according to Entertainment Weekly. And while he was always interested in having eyes on him, he initial job was something a little more comical.

“I did a juggling routine when I was 15 and that’s actually how I made a living,” He said.

That's right, before he ever stood in front of a camera he was entertaining people as a juggler.

“I did birthday parties on weekends. So I started off in old school vaudeville actually.” he said.

His interest in circus arts came from school where his woodwork teacher gave him his first lesson in the art of juggling.

“My shop teacher was in this vaudeville group and, to entertain the students, he started teaching people how to juggle, and that’s how it started,” he said.

Dempsey really wanted to get into the Ringling Bros travelling circus and even signed up with them, but didn't get accepted. He said the application was particularly difficult.

“The questionnaire is the most absurd thing you’ve ever seen like, ‘How do you get along with people in small cars?’ Things like that,” he said.

We can't quite imaging the TV doctor in giant shoes and a red nose, so we're very glad he didn't get accepted and moved on to a very successful career in acting instead. He's managed to use his juggling skills plenty of times in his chosen career though, and there's even a video to prove it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J_AzrNQlDM