Ellen Pompeo Says She Was Cut From MAJOR Film Because of Kate Winslet

Before she was the heartbeat of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Ellen Pompeo was just an up-and-coming actress trying to find her place in Hollywood. She came really, really close to starring in one of the most iconic romantic dramas of the 2000s.

While speaking with Katie Couric at the 2025 Tribeca Festival Storytellers event, Pompeo opened up about a lesser-known chapter in her career. Yes, her role in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” Or rather, her lack of one in the final cut.

“I got completely cut out of ‘Eternal Sunshine,’” Pompeo said, shocking the world. “Because Kate Winslet is in the movie. Of course, like, you have Kate Winslet, you definitely don’t need me.”

Pompeo had been cast as Naomi, Joel’s soon-to-be-ex-girlfriend, played by the iconic Jim Carrey. She even filmed several scenes for the Michel Gondry-directed film. But in true memory-erasing fashion, her entire storyline was wiped out in post-production.

Tragic.

What Could Have Been?

Let’s rewind the tape a little. Pompeo’s early 2000s resume included a small role in Leonardo DiCaprio’s “Catch Me If You Can” in 2002 and a hilarious turn in “Old School” the following year. Then came what could’ve been a breakthrough supporting role in “Eternal Sunshine,” the 2004 sci-fi romance that earned instant cult status.

But despite showing up to set and sharing scenes with Carrey, Pompeo’s performance never made it to theaters. Apparently, they filmed the scenes and then just disappeared.

And those deleted scenes? They still exist online for the curious few; we’ll link it here for you just in case. 

In one, Joel and Naomi have an awkward lunch breakup. In another, she stays home to work while he heads out for dinner, blissfully unaware of the emotional rollercoaster to come. These moments may be short, but they add a layer of context to Joel’s tangled and messy heartbreak.

There Was No Room Left

Winslet’s portrayal of Clementine, a vibrant, emotionally chaotic woman who famously dyed her hair to match her mood, was both magnetic and groundbreaking. She earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and the film took home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Pompeo, for her part, has no hard feelings. 

But it turns out that Winslet’s Oscar-worthy performance wasn’t the only reason Pompeo’s character didn’t survive the final edit. Carrey, who played Joel, once revealed a very personal connection to her casting. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Carrey said director Michel Gondry hired Pompeo in part because she reminded him of Carrey’s then-recent ex, Renée Zellweger.

“Michel likes to have real feelings in the scene and real chemistry,” Carrey said. “So he hired Ellen Pompeo, who’s a wonderful actress. But she reminded me completely of Renée. Her look was similar. And I said, ‘Bastard!’”

He went on to admit that their chemistry may have been too strong. Yes, strong enough to distract from the central romance. 

Getting cut from a future classic might have been a career-deflating blow for some, but not for Pompeo. Just one year later, she scrubbed in as one of the most iconic characters on TV to date. None other than Dr. Meredith Grey on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” where she would go on to lead the show for 19 seasons and counting. Since her time on the shows, she’s become one of the highest-paid women in TV history.

And while she didn’t make the final cut in “Eternal Sunshine,” Pompeo’s career has been anything but forgettable. I guess it’s true what they say. In Hollywood, sometimes you’re the star, and then sometimes you’re in the deleted scene. It’s how you react to the latter that will define your future. 

To us, she’s just as iconic. She might have been cut from the film, but never from our hearts.

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