Patrick Dempsey appears ‘vulnerable’ at BAFTAs after Eric Dane’s death
MALIBU, CALIFORNIA: Actor Patrick Dempsey appeared visibly upset following the death of his Grey’s Anatomy co-star, Eric Dane, who passed away at the age of 53 after battling Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease.
ALS is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Dempsey, attended the BAFTAs in London on Sunday, February 22, at the Royal Festival Hall alongside stars such as Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul Mescal, and Cillian Murphy.
Patrick Dempsey’s BAFTAs Appearance and Tribute to Eric Dane
The awards show marked Patrick’s first public event since the passing of his friend. Dane had been diagnosed with ALS a year prior, and news of his death was shared earlier this week.
Patrick paid tribute to Dane on Instagram, posting a black-and-white photo of him with the caption: "RIP. The world was a better place because of you."
At the BAFTAs, Patrick presented the award for Best Supporting Actress alongside Alicia Vikander. The award was ultimately won by Wunmi Mosaku. Despite the celebratory setting, Patrick’s demeanor carried a hint of sadness.
Dr. Beth Dawson, a body language expert collaborating with Mecca Bingo, told The Mirror that Patrick appeared emotionally affected. She noted, "His smile fades very slightly, and for a brief moment, we see a hint of sadness as he looks down."
Dawson also pointed out Patrick’s posture and gestures, explaining, "There are also a few head dips forward, his posture leans in slightly, and he looks down briefly. This suggests he's processing something emotionally and acknowledging a bit of vulnerability. This is self-regulation rather than discomfort."
She further described his hand movements and overall stance, saying, "We also see some self-protection when he clasps his hands together in front of him. His gestures, which were more open before, move closer to his body, become smaller and tighter, and his shoulders pull in slightly."
Dawson stressed that, "This is showing some vulnerability, and he's self-regulating."
Patrick Dempsey’s emotional state on the red carpet
Despite these subtle signs of grief, Dawson noted that Patrick remained professional, explaining, "What we do see overall is a socially fluent communicator managing some internal emotions in real time."
She concluded by saying, "He isn't fidgeting or looking nervous. But he does quietly manage his emotions. This is what emotional intelligence often looks like in the body."
On the red carpet, body language expert Judi James also observed Patrick’s emotional state, particularly as he walked alongside his daughter, Talula.
She commented, "His body language appears what would be called 'braced' here, hinting that he might still be shell-shocked from the tragic death of his friend and fellow actor Eric Dane."
Continuing, the body language specialist further said, "The dark shades would hide his eyes, but the puckered, steepled brows suggest sadness. His smile is slight rather than a 'Hollywood grin,' and the asymmetric slant of his lips suggests complex emotions."
She concluded, "His arm is rigidly crooked here, with his daughter's hand clutching his bicep in a gesture of support. In some poses, he has one hand pushed fully into a trouser pocket, which suggests no desire to showboat here, and in other poses, he has his hands held in a loose clutch in front of his torso in a barrier ritual."
