Debbie Allen is begging Ellen Pompeo to put her scrubs back on.
The actress behind Dr. Catherine Fox playfully asked her Grey’s Anatomy costar to return to the show full-time at Pompeo’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Tuesday. “We let her out to go do that other show,” Allen joked about Pompeo’s turn in the Hulu limited series Good American Family — her first leading role outside Grey’s in 20 years. “Okay, Ms. Thing. Are you okay now? You did that. Now bring your butt back home.”
Allen told Pompeo that she’s the key to the medical drama’s success. “Grey’s Anatomy is strong because of you,” she said. “We are strong because of you. I am standing here because of you. And certainly, Ms. Shonda Rhimes. We love you.”
Pompeo is still a key member of the Grey’s team, as she narrates every episode of the medical drama, which is now in its 21st season. However, she significantly reduced her onscreen appearances as Dr. Meredith Grey three years ago, appearing in just eight episodes of season 19, four episodes of season 20, and seven in season 21.
Earlier in her speech, Allen praised Pompeo’s work ethic on Grey’s. “Number one on the call sheet is a big responsibility, and you take that responsibility so seriously,” she said. “I don’t know anybody else that comes to the set and makes sure everybody has what they need, and orders vegan food even though they want meat. Who we build extra time [for] because she always has ideas. She always has ideas about her character.”
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Debbie Allen and Ellen Pompeo at the L.A. premiere of ‘West Side Story’ in 2021
Allen also noted her castmate’s inescapable global superstardom leading to positive changes in Grey’s viewers’ lives. “You are a great star, Ellen Pompeo, because you have light, and people follow you,” she said. “Millions of young girls around the world have gone to college and become involved, invested in the medical profession because of you. You, my friend. I’m talking about in China, in India, in Russia, in Germany, in Mexico, in Brazil. All over the world.”
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The actress went on to share an example of how far Pompeo’s fame reaches. “I was in the rainforest in Cuba, trying to watch a little ceremony, and somebody came rattling down on a bicycle,” Allen recalled. “I looked at her, she screamed, I screamed, she said, ‘Grey’s Anatomy! You know Ellen Pompeo!’ In the rainforest! I can’t make it up.”
Allen concluded her remarks saying, “Congratulations, my dear friend. I love you.”
Watch Pompeo’s full Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony above.
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