Patrick Dempsey At A Loss For Words Over Brooke Smith’s ‘Grey’s’ Departure

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Patrick Dempsey found himself at a loss for words earlier today when he taped an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

On Monday, Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello was first to break the news that Brooke Smith, who plays cardiac surgeon Dr. Erica Hahn, had been let go from the popular ABC drama. Her departure was announced just weeks after her character discovered she was a lesbian and engaged in a relationship with Dr. Callie Torres, played by Sara Ramirez.

When asked about the decision to let Smith go in the taping for Ellen’s Wednesday broadcast, Dempsey turned to a script.

“ABC actually sent me over what I should respond,” Dempsey told an inquiring Ellen.

“So ABC’s response, this is [what] you should say – ‘Brooke Smith has been… We’ve had a great time working with her and that the conclusion of her has been orgasmic,’” Dempsey said jokingly. “I’m sorry, I’m dyslexic, ‘organic ending to the story line.’”

Dempsey said he really wasn’t aware of why Smith was let go, but he enjoyed having her character on the show.

“I think her story line has come to an end. Thursday night is her last show, which is too bad,” he said. “She has been great character and I don’t know what happened with that story line. They decided not to continue it for some reason.”