Ellen Pompeo has been the cornerstone of hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy for its entire 13 seasons - but the reason she stayed on may surprise you.
The 46-year-old actress, who plays Meredith Grey in the series, says Hollywood ageism is why she's stuck with the show for more than a decade.
My decision to stay on Grey's was based solely on age," she told People magazine.
![Ellen Pompeo and former co-star Patrick Dempsey on Grey's Anatomy.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/YSFGXWILQOBNC2CSX73WGKGJAM.jpg?auth=fa081108f7369d3ca9300072ab628471f7aa4681c338b0a7e057a9fb7b01ea19&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
"At 33, I was wise enough to know my clock was already ticking in Hollywood."