Before ‘This Is Us’: Inside Mandy Moore’s 2010 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Appearance

Mandy Moore guest-starred on a two-part season finale of 'Grey's Anatomy' and in a full circle moment, one of her co-stars made an appearance on 'This Is Us'.

by Mandi Kerr

Published on February 23, 2021

2 min read

Mandy Moore is Rebecca Pearson on ‘This Is Us’

Milo Ventimiglia as Jack and Mandy Moore as Rebecca on 'This Is Us' Season 4 Episode 13 — Milo Ventimiglia as Jack and Mandy Moore as Rebecca on *This Is Us* | Ron Batzdorff/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

TV audiences know Moore as the matriarch of the Pearson family on NBC’s This Is Us. She plays Rebecca Pearson, mother to the Big 3 — Randall (Sterling K. Brown), Kate (Chrissy Metz), and Kevin (Justin Hartley) — and wife to Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia). For those who don’t regularly tune in to the drama, Rebecca becomes a widow when Jack suddenly dies.

Moore plays Rebecca through various stages in her life. There are the years when she meets Jack and tries to briefly make it as a singer. Then there are the years of her as a wife and mother. The show’s current season, This Is Us Season 5, shows Moore playing an older version of Rebecca dealing with a looming illness all while becoming a grandparent once again.

Mandy Moore guest-starred on the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 6 finale

Moore headed to what was then known as Seattle Grace Hospital in 2010. She guest-starred on the two-hour season 6 finale, making her first appearance on Grey’s Anatomy Season 6 Episode 23: “Sanctuary.” She played Mary Portman, a patient of Miranda Bailey’s (Chandra Wilson).

A newlywed, Mary showed up at the hospital for a seemingly routine surgery. It got derailed when the grieving husband of a dead patient showed up at the hospital intending to kill Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), and Lexie Gray (Chyler Leigh).

Chandra Wilson plays Dr. Miranda Bailey as Mandy Moore sits in a hospital bed playing a patient on 'Grey's Anatomy' on 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 6 — Chandra Wilson and Mandy Moore on *Grey’s* *Anatomy* Season 6 | Danny Feld/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

By Grey’s Anatomy Season 6 Episode 24: “Death and All His Friends,” Mary, Bailey, and Charles Percy (Robert Baker) were huddled in a room hiding from the shooter. Ultimately, Charles got shot leaving Bailey and Mary to do everything they could to save him. Ultimately, Charles died. Mary returned to the hospital months later for her planned surgery but never woke up following the procedure. She died leaving Bailey wanting answers.

Mandy Moore isn’t the only ‘This Is Us’ actor to be on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Many actors have been on Grey’s Anatomy. Among them is another This Is Us actor. In fact, it’s someone Moore had scenes with when she guest-starred on the popular medical drama. Michael O’Neill, the actor who played Gary Clark aka the shooter on Grey’s Anatomy, appeared on This Is Us Season 5 Episode 8: “In the Room.” He played a man named Arlo who spoke with Toby (Chris Sullivan) outside of the hospital.

Grey’s Anatomy airs every Thursday night on ABC and This Is Us every Tuesday night on NBC.