‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Ellen Pompeo Says You’d ‘Pee Your Pants’ When 1 Actor Was on Set

Ellen Pompeo has played Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy for 18 seasons now, so it’s safe to say she’s worked with a lot of different talent over the years. The ABC series has had a revolving door of main cast members and guest stars, and many of the latter have returned over the course of its run. That includes Kate Walsh, who Pompeo claims is hilarious on set — so much so that you might just “pee your pants.”

Ellen Pompeo and Kate Walsh reunited for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 18

Kate Walsh made her debut as Addison Montgomery back in Grey’s Anatomy Season 1, and she appeared regularly on the ABC series until its third outing. Even then, Walsh reprised her role several times over the years. Most recently, she returned for three episodes of Grey’s Anatomy Season 18.

Things between Pompeo and Walsh’s characters have always been a bit tense, as Meredith slept with Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) when he was still married to Addison. Meredith’s ongoing relationship with Derek created a rocky dynamic between her and Addison. However, the two eventually warmed to one another, especially in the wake of Derek’s death.

The pair even shares an emotional reunion during Grey’s Anatomy Season 18, when Addison breaks down in tears in an elevator. Fortunately, the actors’ experiences behind the scenes aren’t quite as heartbreaking. According to Pompeo, there’s plenty of laughter whenever Walsh is around.

Ellen Pompeo says Kate Walsh is absolutely hilarious on set

Ellen Pompeo reunited with Kate Walsh during Grey’s Anatomy Season 18, but that’s not all they’ve done together recently. Pompeo also welcomed her Grey’s costar as a guest on her Tell Me With Ellen Pompeo podcast. And during their conversation, she admitted that Walsh is one of the most hilarious people to have on set.

“If Kate was on set, you knew you were going to pee your pants — like, literally pee your pants laughing,” Pompeo said. “Because you are super funny. Kate literally is the funniest b****. She’s so funny.”

With Grey’s tackling such serious subjects over the years, it must be nice to have actors who brighten the mood. It seems Walsh fills that role when she’s around. Of course, sometimes original cast reunions also bring out the waterworks — but it’s probably more heartwarming than heart-wrenching when that happens.

The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star loves catching up with original cast members

Ellen Pompeo may get a kick out of Kate Walsh’s antics, but the Grey’s Anatomy star admitted catching up with original cast members can get emotional.

During a 2021 interview with People, Pompeo expressed her excitement about seeing Walsh again, emphasizing that she feels similarly about all her original Grey’s costars:

“I have so much affection and love for the original cast. We all went through something that only we can understand. So it’s always just really fun and very emotional, to be honest. When any of the original cast members get together, we always start crying, and we’re like, ‘Why are we crying?’”

Given how long the group has known one another and how much time they spent together on set, it’s probably no surprise reunions leave them feeling nostalgic.

“We created something so special together,” Pompeo told People. “That’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

Their accomplishment is even more impressive because Grey’s Anatomy is still going. New episodes air on Thursdays on ABC.