At a Glance
- Patrick Dempsey has three children: daughter Talula (born Feb. 20, 2002) and twins Darby and Sullivan (born Feb. 1, 2007).
- Talula is now a pastry chef who launched Talula’s Kitchen in 2024.
- The twins graduated from Crossroads School in May 2025.
- Why it matters: The actor’s candid reflections illustrate the evolving role of parents as kids become adults.
Patrick Dempsey has long balanced a high-profile career with a bustling family life. He and wife Jillian Fink welcomed their daughter Talula in 2002, followed by twin boys Darby and Sullivan in 2007. In recent interviews and social-media posts, Patrick Dempsey has opened up about the joys and challenges of raising three growing adults.
Family Overview
Patrick and Jillian first became parents in 2002 with the arrival of Talula. Just a few years later, they welcomed their twin boys on 2007. The couple has kept their family life largely private, sharing only key milestones and heartfelt moments online.
Talula’s Journey
Talula Fyfe Dempsey, now 23, grew up alongside her father in a close-knit household. He recalls, “We talk about all kinds of things. We listen to the news and discuss it. I remember when I would do stuff with my father and my mother. You want those moments. They go by very quickly, so you try to get them in when you can,” said Patrick Dempsey in a 2008 interview with Parade.
As a high-school senior, Talula was described by her father as “incredibly creative” and a cooking enthusiast. She even spent a summer studying in London. When the pandemic forced her senior year into quarantine, Patrick Dempsey noted the isolation’s impact, saying, “The isolation for them and the lack of socialization is really challenging, especially senior year. My poor daughter missed everything. And that’s the only reason you go back, senior year, is for the proms. It’s the victory lap, you celebrate your education – and she had none of it,” he told Jimmy Kimmel Live! in October 2020.
To make up for the missed prom, the family hosted a “mock prom” at their home. Though the event was virtual, Patrick Dempsey expressed that his heart broke when Talula couldn’t attend a traditional prom.
Talula now runs her own baking business, Talula’s Kitchen, launched in 2024. The company specializes in elegant, made-to-order desserts, curated sweet spreads, and thoughtfully crafted gift packages. In February 2025, Patrick Dempsey celebrated her 23rd birthday with a heartfelt Instagram tribute: “Happy birthday Talula!!! 23! So proud of you you’re an amazing human being, kind compassionate and funny and absolutely beautiful inside and out. 🎈🎊,” he wrote.
In April of that year, the couple appeared in a TikTok video baking cookies together-something Patrick Dempsey said they hadn’t done “since you were little.”
Darby and Sullivan’s Upbringing
The twins, now 18, were born on Feb. 1, 2007 in Los Angeles. Patrick Dempsey explained that the names were chosen before birth, but Talula helped decide which baby got which name. He notes their distinct personalities: “Darby is much more reserved and quiet compared to Sullivan. Sullivan is very funny – he has funny expressions in the way he’s taking things in,” he told PEOPLE.
As they grew, the household became a whirlwind of activity. Patrick Dempsey recalled, “Boys are completely different than girls for obvious reasons, but physically they’re so much more active! You cannot turn your back because there’s always an injury, there’s always something going on,” he shared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
In May 2025, the twins graduated from Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica, California. Patrick Dempsey posted on Instagram, “So proud of you boys and cannot wait to see where the next chapter of your lives will take you!”
Parenting Challenges
In a November 2023 interview after being crowned PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, Patrick Dempsey reflected on the shift from parenting young children to young adults: “You need to be around, but they don’t want you around because they’re fighting for their independence, which they should,” he said. “They need to find out how they interact in the world, they need to learn those boundaries, they need to make mistakes. And you need to be there for them and allow them to learn from that.”
These candid insights highlight the evolving responsibilities of parents as their children transition into adulthood.
Key Takeaways
- Patrick Dempsey’s family milestones span from 2002 to 2025.
- Talula’s culinary venture, Talula’s Kitchen, showcases a new entrepreneurial chapter.
- The twins’ graduation marks a significant step toward independence.
- Dempsey’s reflections underscore the delicate balance parents maintain with growing kids.
