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Ellen Pompeo is best known for her role as Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy. Before she booked the medical drama, the actor appeared in movies such as Old School, Catch Me If You Can, and Daredevil. However, Grey’s made her the highest-paid television actor in 2018. 

Although many of Pompeo’s fans watch her on TV each week, some might not know how tall the mother of three is. 

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey on 'Grey's Anatomy' posing in a blue dress.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey|Mike Rosenthal/ABC via Getty Images

How did ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Ellen Pompeo become famous?

Pompeo was born and raised in Everett, Massachusetts. When she graduated from Everett high school, she moved to Miami to pursue acting. Eventually, Pompeo traveled again to New York for more opportunities. In the 1990s, she started booking roles on television shows such as Law & Order and Strong Medicine. Pompeo starred in the 2002 movie Moonlight Mile along with Jake Gyllenhaal and Susan Sarandon. 

Moonlight Mile ultimately led Pompeo to Grey’s Anatomy. After she worked on the ABC film, the studio offered her the opportunity to play Meredith. Although Pompeo originally wanted to work on other shows, including Secret Service and Alias, she eventually agreed to work on Grey’s, per TV Guide

“I really wanted to do that, and the studio really wanted me to do Grey’s instead,” Pompeo recalled. “I wanted to do the Secret Service pilot that didn’t go, of course; me and my brilliant choices. I read Grey’s, and I went and met Shonda [Rhimes], and I decided to come on and do this. It was just an invitation, and I happily accepted.”

What is ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Ellen Pompeo’s height?

Pompeo is 5’7. The Meredith Grey star also has a petite frame, which viewers of Grey’s Anatomy have seen for 17 seasons. During an Oct. 2006 interview with People, Pompeo shared that fans of Grey’s commented on her body early into the show. However, she didn’t mind the critiques. In the cover story, the actor revealed she got teased for her weight as a child. Although being bullied was difficult for Pompeo, she said it gave her thick skin when she became an actor. 

“Growing up, I was horribly self-conscious about how skinny I was,” she said. “You think it’s never going to be as horrible as sixth, seventh, eighth grade when all the other girls are getting boobs. Now all of a sudden, it’s back to people saying things to me again. I can’t shake it.”

Is Pompeo leaving ‘Grey’s’? 

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In 2018, Pompeo became the highest-paid TV actor. She received a $20 million raise for her role in Grey’s Anatomy. Additionally, Forbes reported that the star’s salary is $550,000 per episode. Pompeo also directs and produces episodes of the medical drama. 

Since Grey’s returned for season 17, many reports have claimed that the show is in its final season. The old Grey’s characters’ resurgence makes fans think that the show could be ending soon. Pompeo discussed the medical drama’s future during an interview with CBS Sunday Morning. In her interview, she admitted that she’s unsure about whether the show will end in 2021. However, the Meredith Grey actor would like to see the show end with a bang after almost two decades on the air. 

“We honestly have not decided,” Pompeo said of a series finale. “We’re really trying to figure it out right now.”

“To end a show this iconic… how do we do it?” the actor continued. “I just wanna make sure we do this character and this show and the fans… I wanna make sure we do it right.”