Ellen Pompeo

I don't find acting to be a particularly noble way to make a living. I'm not saving anybody's life, I'm not a teacher, I'm not working for UNICEF. I don't think I'm some big deal.

I didn't have a boyfriend until I was 16, and he was eight years older. My father was furious about this 24-year-old, and I had to hide the relationship.

Learning about the way people process information and their emotions is hugely helpful to my work.

My daily schedule is quite hectic, but I have to put my health first in order to be the best mom and wife I can be.

Happiness is not that easy to achieve, but having a handsome husband, a beautiful baby, and a great job helps.

I was never a person who was introduced to junk food.

We're teaching young girls that this is what they should be focusing on: rich and famous girls who are rich and famous for nothing.

There's a remarkable amount of sexism on TV. When male characters are flawed, they're interesting, deep and complex. But when female characters are flawed, they're just a mess. It's good to put more flawed but interesting female characters out there because it promotes equality.

Brains don't really smell, but what's amazing about the brain is that it's almost like scrambled eggs or soft tofu, almost like a gel. The brain controls so much of what we do, but you could put your finger right through it.