• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo reveals ‘grossest prop’ she ever had to work with and it’s enough to put you off the show forever

Home> Entertainment> TV & Film

Published 10:05 21 Mar 2025 GMT

Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo reveals ‘grossest prop’ she ever had to work with and it’s enough to put you off the show forever

This revelation will certainly change how you watch the show

Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper

Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo has opened up on her time working on the long-running medical drama series — and it turns out that playing a surgeon can be pretty grim.

Pompeo, 55, is best known for playing Dr Meredith Grey since the show's inception in 2005 and remained as the main character until her 2023 departure.

The actor recently reflected on her long tenure as Meredith during a new interview with Alex Cooper on a recent episode of Call Her Daddy, including all the gory behind-the-scenes details involved with playing a doctor.

Ellen Pompeo revealed the more gory aspects of playing Dr Meredith Grey (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Ellen Pompeo revealed the more gory aspects of playing Dr Meredith Grey (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Advert

It's no secret that playing a doctor on TV isn't the easiest of character, considering the amount of medical terminology you'd have to memorise in order to perfect the role.

And it turns out playing a surgeon can also be pretty gory.

Of course, fake blood and anatomical props wouldn't be out of place on the Grey's Anatomy set, but it turns out that Pompeo also had to deal with the real thing.

Asked by Cooper for details on the 'grossest prop' she'd ever worked with, the actor revealed that she'd been handed 'real live organs' numerous times on set.

Advert

"Definitely real organs, real body parts," Pompeo replied. "It's gross, it's really gross."

Now before you reach for your sick bucket don't worry, as Pompeo was quick to clarify that they were given animal organs and not human ones.

Which is still pretty gross, just a tiny bit more ethical and less Frankenstienish than handing someone human organs.

Ellen Pompeo as Dr Meredith Grey on Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Ellen Pompeo as Dr Meredith Grey on Grey's Anatomy (ABC)

Advert

"We stopped using them in the later seasons," she continued. "But in the beginning we used to used bovine intestine, cow heart, cow liver, cow brain.

"It's all really gross."

So remember folks, next time you're watching an early episode of Grey's Anatomy and see a pretty bloody looking prop, it may very well be the real thing.

Which is certainly enough to put you off rewatching the series anytime soon.

Advert

Pompeo also opened up on the reason she decided to stick around playing Meredith Grey for so long on the podcast, telling Cooper that she didn't she'd have the same opportunities as she got older.

"So I thought – back then, 20 years ago – women at 40, it’s over. That’s a wrap, honey," the actor explained. "So I was like, ‘I better sign and I better do this because this is the most money I’m ever going to make, and the most opportunity I’m ever going to get."

Fortunately for Pompeo, her career is still going strong, with the actor currently starring in Hulu limited series Good American Family.

Advert

Let's just hope none of her future roles will require the handling of animal organs...

Featured Image Credit: (Call Her Daddy)

Topics: Grey's Anatomy, TV And Film, Podcasts, Celebrity, Animals

Brenna Cooper
Brenna Cooper

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Ellen Pompeo now earns unbelievable amount of money per episode of Grey’s Anatomy
  • Ellen Pompeo reveals sad reason why she will never quit Grey’s Anatomy
  • Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo set the record straight on reason why Jessica Capshaw and Sarah Drew suddenly left show
  • Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo gives honest answer when asked about not getting on with people on set

Choose your content:

16 hours ago
22 hours ago
3 days ago
  • 16 hours ago

    Sports star refused entry at Wimbledon’s royal box after breaking same strict rules as Pippa Middleton

    There are no exceptions!

    Entertainment
  • 16 hours ago

    Robert Irwin forced to apologise after leaving restaurant without paying and fans are all making the same comment

    The beloved wildlife conservationist posted an apology video

    Entertainment
  • 22 hours ago

    Justin Bieber shares four-word message for wife Hailey after heavy scrutiny but some fans are seriously confused

    Fans have speculated there could be trouble in paradise

    Entertainment
  • 3 days ago

    Doctor busts common abortion myths as Lily Allen admits she ‘can’t remember’ how many she’s had

    Lily Allen has caused controversy with her recent confession, but one doctor is keen to dispel rumours around abortions

    Entertainment