What a great year it has been for Grey's Anatomy star, Patrick Dempsey, as he not only made waves in his showbiz career, but also in his personal life as well. In fact, the 41-year-old actor has been named by People magazine as the "Star of the Year," as he received top honors for his accomplishments this 2007.

Dempsey, who is known for playing Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, has now become the face on the cover of the magazine's year-end issue, which contains not only the best but also the worst of 2007.

This year brought Dempsey a full plate as he not only gained fame for his role on the successful ABC drama, but also in the Disney hit film Enchanted, wherein he played a single father and divorce attorney Robert Phillip. As for his life off-camera, the actor has well fathered twin boys, Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick, who were welcomed into this world just earlier this year.

"I'm just enjoying life more than I ever have," Patrick Dempsey told People. "I'm trying to enjoy the moment while it's here and to be able to provide for my family so that I can step away and enjoy raising them away from all this."

Of course, things weren't as good as they are right now for the actor who has gone through his share of bad times. Dempsey appeared in a couple of notable '80s films such as Loverboy and Can't Buy Me Love, but after that, he was not able to further his career with more substantial roles. Moreover, his marriage to former manager, Rocky Parker, a woman 26 years his senior, also collapsed, leaving him in a bout with severe depression.

"It was a very difficult time. I was insecure. I felt I was no good," Dempsey is quoted as saying. "It took me two days to get psyched and it was very hard to stay positive. There were years when I wasn't working and people didn't care about me."

This isn't the case now as it seems Dempsey has gone past those struggles and emerged as a stronger and happier man, not to mention a handsome actor and talented actor as well. Landing the role of McDreamy on Grey's Anatomy did give him a shot at success, and he captured fame, which in a way helped him put his life back together. He now happily resides with his wife Jill Fink, their twin sons and their older daughter, Tallulah Fyfe.