Rocky Parker was an American actress, model, and manager who was best known for being the first wife of Patrick Dempsey, the star of Grey’s Anatomy. The couple had a 26-year age gap and divorced in 1994 after a bitter and controversial split. Parker died in 2014 from lung and throat cancer. Here is a detailed look at her life and career.
Rocky Parker Wiki/Bio
| Name | Rocky Parker |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Rochelle Natalie Parker |
| Birth date | February 26, 1940 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Death date | April 19, 2014 |
| Death place | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Cause of death | Lung and throat cancer |
| Occupation | Actress, director, producer, manager, acting coach |
| Spouse(s) | Sheldon Leonard Stein (m. 1958; div. ?) John David Haas (m. 1964; div. ?) Patrick Dempsey (m. 1987; div. 1994) |
| Children | David Alan Stein (son) Corey Parker Haas (son) Noelle Parker (daughter) |
| Notable works | Instagram- Not Available IMDB- @nm0662585 |
| Social Links | Instagram- Not Available IMDB- @nm0662585 Homepage- Sagalnews.com |
Biography
Rocky Parker was born on February 26, 1940 (age: 74 years, when she died) in New York City. She grew up surrounded by the glamour and excitement of the theater world and developed a passion for acting at a young age. She attended Martin Van Buren High School in Queens, where she participated in drama club and school plays.
She also learned to juggle and model and posed for magazines such as True Romance and Virginia Slims. She was the shortest one in her family, standing at 5 feet 2 inches tall.
After graduating from high school, Rocky Parker enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where she studied acting and theater. She also took classes at the Actors Studio, where she learned from legendary teachers such as Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, and Sanford Meisner.
She honed her skills and techniques and made connections with other aspiring actors. She also auditioned for various roles, and landed her first Broadway gig in 1959, playing the role of Aunt Blanche in the play Brighton Beach Memoirs.
First Marriage and Children
Rocky Parker married her first husband, Sheldon Leonard Stein, on August 21, 1958, when she was 18 years old. He was a businessman and a former Marine. They had their first child, David Alan, on August 14, 1959, when Rocky was 19.
They later divorced, and Rocky married her second husband, John Haas, in 1964. He was a writer and a producer, and they had a son together, Corey Parker Haas, in 1965. Corey followed his mother’s footsteps and became an actor, appearing in films and TV shows such as Biloxi Blues, thirtysomething, and Will & Grace.
She also had a daughter, Noelle Parker, with a man named Nick Ferri, whom she never married. Noelle was born on December 25, 1971, and also became an actress, starring in films such as Ernest Saves Christmas and The Final Terror.
Acting Career
Rocky Parker began her acting career in the 1950s, appearing in various stage productions and TV shows. She made her Broadway debut in 1959, playing the role of Aunt Blanche in the play Brighton Beach Memoirs. She also appeared in other plays, such as The Odd Couple, The Sunshine Boys, and The Prisoner of Second Avenue.
She made her film debut in 1960, playing a minor role in the comedy The Bellboy, starring Jerry Lewis. She continued to act in films and TV throughout the 1960s and 1970s, such as The Fugitive, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Wild Wild West, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island. She also directed a few episodes of TV shows, such as The Fall Guy and The A-Team.
Rocky Parker’s Marriage to Patrick Dempsey
Rocky Parker met Patrick Dempsey in 1984, when he was 18 and she was 44, as they were both starring in the play Brighton Beach Memoirs on Broadway. Parker played Dempsey’s character’s aunt in the production. They started spending time together after rehearsals, and sparks began to fly despite the age difference. In 1987, Dempsey and Parker got married when he was 21 and she was 47. He was an up-and-coming actor and she was a former actor and model who took on the job of managing his career.
The couple kept their marriage on the down-low for a number of years due to their 26-year age difference. Dempsey and Parker ultimately divorced in 1994, citing irreconcilable differences. It was a bitter, two-year battle that had Parker claiming Dempsey beat her up.
She alleged that Dempsey beat her up so badly on the set of Can’t Buy Me Love, that she developed arthritis. She also claimed he broke her finger in a car door. She later rescinded her allegations, which were originally reported by the National Enquirer.
It was rumored that their marriage fell apart because he had met another woman. Of course, Dempsey did meet his second wife Jillian Fink in 1994, but not only was Dempsey embroiled in a contentious divorce, but Fink was also dating someone else at the time. Dempsey and Fink did not officially start dating until 1997.
About Her Ex-Huband Who Has Been Titled as a Sexiest Man Alive
Patrick Dempsey has been married twice. His first wife was Rocky Parker, an actress and director who was 26 years older than him. They met in 1984, when they were both starring in the play Brighton Beach Memoirs on Broadway. They got married in 1987 when he was 21 and she was 47. They divorced in 1994, after a bitter and contentious battle. Parker died in 2014, from lung and throat cancer.
His second wife is Jillian Fink, a makeup artist and founder of her own clean beauty line. They met in 1994 when he went to her salon for a haircut. They started dating in 1997 and got married in 1999. They have three children together: Talula, 21, and twins Sullivan and Darby, 16. They briefly separated in 2015, but reconciled in 2016, and renewed their vows in 2017. They live in Malibu, California, and also have a farm in Maine.
Patrick Dempsey was named as PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2023, following in the footsteps of previous winners such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Idris Elba. He said that he was “completely shocked” and “started laughing” when he heard the news. He also said that he was “glad” that it happened at this point in his life, and that he wanted to use the recognition for something positive. He said that he was proud of his work with the Dempsey Center, which he founded in honor of his late mother, who died of ovarian cancer in 2014. The center provides support and resources for cancer patients and their families.
He also said that he was happy with his family, his career, and his hobbies and that he felt “very fortunate”. He said that he hoped to inspire other people to follow their dreams, and to live with passion and purpose. He also joked that he had the “bumper stickers, T-shirts, posters” of his new title and that his kids would “make fun of him” and “pick on him” for it. He said that he was grateful for the love and support of his fans and that he looked forward to his future projects and adventures.
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Later Life and Death
After her divorce from Dempsey, Rocky Parker continued to work as a manager and an acting coach. She also appeared in a few films and TV shows, such as L.A. Law, The Practice, and The Escape. She remained close to her children and grandchildren and supported their careers.
She also maintained a friendly relationship with Dempsey, who said that she was like a mother to him. In 2014, she was diagnosed with lung and throat cancer, which was attributed to her lifelong smoking habit. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation, but the disease was too advanced.
She died on April 19, 2014, at the age of 74, surrounded by her family and friends. Dempsey paid tribute to her on his Instagram, posting a photo of her with the caption: “In loving memory of Rocky Parker, the most beautiful woman I have ever known.” He also attended her memorial service and spoke about her impact on his life.
