Rocky Parker: A deep look into the life of Patrick Dempsey's ex-wife
Many came to know actress Rocky Parker because of her relationship with Grey's Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey. One interesting fact about their marriage was their age difference. Their relationship would later become rocky and ended in a messy divorce.
Source: UGC
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Reports falsely claimed Rocky Parker married her son's best friend. Patrick later clarified how his friendship with her son began. The couple did not divorce because Rocky was significantly older than him. The actress had much to say about Patrick in the divorce documents but later admitted that some of her allegations were false.
Profile summary
| Full name | Rochelle Natalie Parker |
| Nickname | Rocky |
| Gender | Female |
| Birthdate | 26th February 1940 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
| Age | 74 years (at the time of death) |
| Date of death | 19th April 2014 |
| Place of death | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Cause of death | Lung cancer |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Parents | Bernard and Shirley Parker |
| Height | 5'7″ |
| Eye color | Green |
| Hair color | Dark brown |
| Children | David, Corey, and Noelle |
| Education | Martin Buren High School |
| Profession | Model, actress, TV personality, entrepreneur |
Who is Rocky Parker?
Rochelle Natalie, also called Rocky Parker, was an actress, model, and entrepreneur. She was popularly known for her failed marriage to Patrick Dempsey. Their relationship made headlines due to their age difference of about 26 years and subsequent messy divorce.
Early life and educational background
Rochelle 'Rocky' Parker was born to Bernard and Shirley Parker on 26th February 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother was an actress, and she appeared in movies such as The Minx and Mission Mars.
Rochelle spent her childhood on Hopkinson Avenue and attended Martin Buren High School when her family moved to Bayside, Queens. It is, however, yet to be discovered if she furthered her studies.
How old was Rocky Parker when she died?
Rocky lived to celebrate her 74th birthday before meeting her death on 19th April 2014.
Source: UGC
Career history
Growing up around celebrities exposed her to showbiz at an early age. Her aunt, Ida, who worked at the Movie Star Slips, would bring her props, including costumes, to try on.
She would also take Rocky to Broadway shows in the city. Watching all the talented actors on stage increased her interest in the industry and influenced her to venture into acting as a career.
So, Rocky auditioned for the High School Performing Arts in Manhattan and was accepted to play one of the roles. Nonetheless, she abandoned acting because her mother did not support her venturing out as an actress.
Parker resumed acting after her 17th birthday. She also entered showbiz as a model, posing for print media and magazines such as True Romance. She participated in the the Virginia Slim campaign, You've Come A Long Way, Baby.
Filmography
Some of the films and videos she appeared in or worked on are:
| Year | Film/video | Role |
| 1987 | Can’t Buy Me Love (film) | Additional crew |
| 1987 | In the Mood (film) | Actress |
| 1988 | Some Girls (film) | Additional crew |
| 1989 | Happy Together (film) | Actress |
| 1994 | Ava’s Magical Adventure (film) | Director |
| 2002 | Hung Up on Elena (film) | Actress |
| 2008 | The Rainbow Tribe (video) | Actress |
Who was Rocky Parker's spouse?
She tied the knot with Sheldon Leonard Stein on 21st August 1958 and got her first child, David Alan Stein (aka David Parker), on 4th August 1959 at age 19.
Her marriage to Sheldon did not last, so she married John Hass in 1964 and had her second child, Corel Parker Hass, on 8 July 1965. John passed away in 1968, making Rocky a widow.
The actress later fell in love with Nick Ferri, who gave birth to Rocky Parker's youngest child, Noelle Parker, on 25th December 1971. The relationship did not end in marriage.
Rocky eventually married actor Patrick Dempsey in August 1987, but never had a child together.
Rocky Parker's relationship with Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey and Rocky Parker met on the set of the Brighton Beach Memoirs, a play, in 1984. He was 18, and she was 44. The actress was cast as his aunt in a play, and they grew close to one another on set.
Dempsey asked Rocky to become his manager, and romance bloomed from there. They began dating and eventually got married in August 1987.
Source: UGC
What was Rocky Parker's age when she married Patrick Dempsey?
She was 48 and he was 21 when they got married. While it has been reported that Dempsey married his best friend's mother, he clarified that he only became best friends with Rocky's son, Corey, after he became romantically involved with the actress.
Why did Patrick Dempsey marry Rocky Parker?
He fell in love with the actress and liked their age difference. The actor wanted someone with experience to help him navigate life. They, however, kept their marriage a secret from the public eye for two years out of fear of controversies like their age gap, that she was his manager, and that her children were older than him.
Patrick Dempsey and Rocky Parker's divorce
After around four years of marriage, Rocky filed divorce papers in 1991, citing domestic violence. She accused Patrick of slamming a van door on her finger and assaulting her in another incident while on the set of his 1987 film "Can't Buy Me Love."
Parker claimed the attack was the manifestation of Dempsey's desire to "see what it was like" to hurt a woman. She also made several other unflattering claims about being married to Dempsey.
The actress stated in the court documents that she had given up her life and career to help Dempsey become a competent actor. She also claimed to have played a pivotal role in pulling him away from narcotics and alcohol.
Parker even described being with Dempsey as negatively impacting her mental health, noting that she would see a psychiatrist regularly and was on antidepressants and other prescribed medications.
In addition to the problem, rumors circulated that Dempsey had seen another woman while he was still married to Parker.
Rocky renounced her allegations of domestic violence in 2006 after admitting to the National Enquirer that she lied. In addition to that, the cheating and abuse allegations she laid against him were not proven in court.
Rocky Parker and the Grey's Anatomy actor finalized their divorce in 1994. The actress was reportedly awarded $9,000 monthly in spousal support and received a BMW convertible. Patrick described their marriage as nightmarish.
Does Patrick Dempsey have children?
He has three children, daughter Talula Fyfe, 22, and twin sons Sullivan Patrick and Darby Gallen, 17, with his wife, Jillian Fink. They met when the hair/makeup artist cut his hair. Jillian thought the actor's appointment was a joke until he entered her salon.
The pair hit it off initially eventhough they were seeing other people. Eventually, the couple had their first date in 1997 at Patrick's house, where he cooked dinner.
Source: UGC
Jillian reportedly moved in three months later, and they married on 31 July 1999 after about two years of dating. She filed for divorce in January 2015 and reconciled with the actor a year later. The actor had to cut back on his car racing hobby and dedicate himself to improving his marriage.
Patrick Dempsey's wife launched her makeup and skincare brand in 2014 and has another line, Delux Beauty, which focuses on products that can be applied without an application tool.
The actor is very supportive of his wife's career. He's even modeled for some of her beauty campaigns. On their 25th anniversary, he posted their wedding photo on Instagram with a sweet tribute:
25 years, it feels like just yesterday! I can’t get over how quickly the time has gone by. Life would not be the same without you, your vision, your kindness, your compassion, your love, your sexiness, your intelligence, your warmth, your friendship, your wisdom. The love of my life, I’m truly grateful for all that you do and who you are. You’re an incredible mother, wife, friend, and partner @jilliandempsey
What happened to Rocky Parker?
The actress died on 19 April 2014 in Los Angeles, California, USA. According to Rocky Parker's obituary, she struggled with stage four throat and lung cancer.
What was Rocky Parker's cause of death?
She died from cancer, which was likely caused by smoking cigarettes. The actress had a bad smoking habit.
Rocky Parker's funeral
Her ashes were spread in the Pacific Ocean near her home in Santa Monica according to her wishes.
Source: UGC
Rocky Parker's net worth
Online sources like Ouetawa estimate she was worth between $1 million and $7 million at the time of her death.
Facts about Rocky Parker
- She was Patrick Dempsey's first wife.
- She was Patrick Dempsey's manager and acting coach.
- She played the assistant of Patrick Dempsey in Can't Buy Me Love.
- She appeared with Dempsey in the film In the Mood.
- She coached Ava’s Magical Adventure's actors like Kelly Preston, Brad Garret, and Joan Chen.
Rocky Parker achieved a lot in her career as a model and actor. Nevertheless, she wasn't successful in marriage. Her relationships did not work out, which was the opposite of what her last spouse, Patrick Dempsey, expected.
Yen.com.gh also shared an article about Carole Ann Boone. She is famously known as the controversial wife of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy.
Bundy lured and murdered over 30 women in America in the 70s. He proposed to Ann while on trial and went on to marry her. They had a daughter before he was executed by electric shock on 24th January 1989.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 5 years of experience writing articles, researching, editing, and proofreading. She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Yen.com.gh in April 2022. The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course. She covers bios, marketing & finance, tech, fashion & beauty, recipes, movies & gaming reviews, culture & travel. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
Chris Muyera Chris is a creative writer, designer and digital nomad with over two years of experience as a digital marketer. He completed his BSc in Aquaculture Technology from South Eastern Kenya University in 2020. Chris joined Yen in 2023 and contributes to the Facts and Life-hacks section. He can be reached via chrisnomad10@gmail.com.
