From the white coat to the track, the charm of an action man.
Long ago, women all over the planet dreamed of going to the pediatrician, a man called Doctor Ross/George Clooney, (yes, ‘going themselves’ and not ‘bringing the children’). Then the screen was invaded by a fluttering white coat and a mass of hair exposed to the gusts in the ward… and it was immediately Doctor Strangelove (or rather Dr. Shepherd), with the face and body of Patrick Dempsey.
With that face and look, Dempsey makes women fall at his feet as leaves in autumn. Born in America in 1966 but of Irish origins, Patrick has always navigated between the big and small screen, conquering female hearts with his charm as a romantic and at the same time rude man; just think of two of his most famous films: Enchanted, where he plays a divorce lawyer who finds love in an authentic princess who comes from the world of fairy tales, and Made of Honor, where he plays the role of a playboy who finds himself in love with his best friend the moment she announces her wedding.
Do you feel more like a good guy or a bad guy?
“Let’s say I have a very romantic nature. I love books, especially fairy tales. And I’m crazy about the lullabies I sang to my children. I love good humor, laughing… and I’ve always admired clowns; they fascinated me to the point that I attended a course for expert clowns! You know, I wanted to learn how to do magic!”.
Are you serious when you say you’ve always liked clowns? They often scare… I’m almost terrified of them.
“For me, clowns have always represented something magical. Since I was a child, it’s like they had the power to carry me away to a fantasy world. I like the sense of wonderful. One of my favorite hobby is reading fantasy stories and taking my kids to the circus. Or watch animated movies with them, especially Disney masterpieces from the past”.
May I address you informally?
“Yes, sure!”.
Do you know how wonderful is to hear a man that loves watching cartoons?
“Actually I believe that many love them, but don’t have the courage to admit it! We’re living in hard times and I think it would be good for everyone to calm themselves down with poetry and the sweetness that only a return to childhood can give!”.
That said, you’re also a man of action. In addition to acting, indeed, you cultivate another great passion, that for engines and racing cars…
“Exactly! I have been a pilot for many years. I have my own team – Dempsey Proton Racing – with which I compete aboard my Porsche 911 GT3 in historic competitions such as the 24 hours of Le Mans”.
In Michael Mann’s Ferrari biopic, centered on the founder of the legendary car manufacturer, you play the driver Piero Taruffi, a pioneer of the racing world: did you drive in the most dangerous scenes?
“Absolutely yes! I really drove on the racetrack without stunts, and it was a unique emotion. I prepared with a team of specialists, who gave me the necessary confidence to shoot the most dangerous sequences, those with closerange cars”.
I’m curious: you have spent many years wearing the white coat. Are you attentive to your look or are you one of those men for whom fashion means nothing?
“I’m very fashion-conscious. I like to be updated on the latest trends, even if I remain a man who dresses classic. I love everything that combines style and comfort, from classic lines to the most modern design. Then I really appreciate fabrics, their quality and craftsmanship. But I’m also attracted by particular accessories, those that strike at first glance. I love everything that is artisanal, because it creates an authentic style for the wearer… in the end, it is not the suit that makes the man, but the man who wears the suit”.
And if he says this, we have to believe it.
