Fame is a slippery slope where finding an anchor in Tinseltown often takes years. But even when the horizon is in sight and success under one’s belt, stardom may not be the endgame, as is the case with television star and legend Ellen Pompeo. Despite over two decades of showbiz stardom, the Grey’s Anatomy actor was recently found lamenting the lack of critical acclaim in the entertainment capital.

Although the layered permutation and combination of Hollywood usually gets stars on a journey of retrospection, what made Pompeo introspect her own showbiz era so harshly? 

Ellen Pompeo just made history as one of the prominent TV actors of the 21st century with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 29. In a recent conversation with Variety, the Grey’s Anatomy star took a trip down memory lane through her showbiz experience. “To keep a show on the air for 20 years, I have to be somewhat talented, but I’ve never been critically recognized,” she mourned. 

Pompeo earned a Golden Globes nomination in 2007, but has yet to get nominated for an Emmy. Although she acknowledges her stardom will be forever tied to Shonda Rhimes’ ABC medical drama, she still feels not done with the prove-it game, if not for others, then for herself. Then again, Pompeo bemoaned the absence of critical appreciation, especially after having worked hard for so long. “I’d like a little bit of probably a pat on the back from someone to think I have some sort of talent,” she said.

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Ellen Pompeo’s legacy may remain entwined with Grey’s Anatomy, but the actor also brought attention to the financial negligence on streaming.

Grey’s Anatomy rakes in billions for ABC and Disney. During her recent discussion with Variety, Ellen Pompeo claimed and insisted that despite that, the cast receives minimal residual payments for streaming. She says with the show’s massive streaming numbers and the input she brings with her voice, image, and “47 billion minutes a year,” going unpaid would feel really “unfair.” This is how she feels towards the crew, who were part of the first 10 years and have no residual structures.

“So, me being on the show a little bit and still getting to at least make money from them profiting off of us is more digestible for me,” she said, speaking of why she stayed with Grey’s. Pompeo even voiced her creative frustrations to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden a few years ago, which allowed her to scale back her involvement in the medical drama and brought her the opportunity to lead Good American Family, a Hulu limited series. 

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Why do you think Ellen Pompeo still laments the lack of critical recognition? Let us know in the comments below!