Justin Chambers Is Leaving 'Grey's Anatomy' After Playing Dr Alex Karev for 15 Years

Justin Chambers is leaving long-running ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” after 15 years of playing Dr. Alex Karev.

“There’s no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that’s defined so much of my life for the past 15 years,” Chambers said in a statement. “For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time.”

“Grey’s Anatomy” is now in its 16th season on ABC. It has been running since 2005, and making it the longest running medical drama on television.

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ABC also confirmed Chambers’ exit.

“As I move on from Grey’s Anatomy, I want to thank the ABC family, Shonda Rimes, original cast members Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, and the rest of the amazing cast and crew, both past and present, and, of course, the fans for an extraordinary ride,” Chambers continued.

The final episode date for Chambers’ character has not yet been announced. He did not appear in the show’s fall finale in November. The series follows doctors at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, who started out their careers as interns at the hospital.

Chambers other credits include “The Wedding Planner,” “Broken City” and “The Zodiac.”

Every Female Director Nominated for an Oscar, From Lina Wertmuller to Jane Campion (Photos)

The Academy has only nominated seven women in the Best Director category in its storied history. Here they are.
Lina Wertmuller, "Seven Beauties" (1976) • The first woman ever nominated in the category was this Italian director for a drama about an Italian solider who deserted the army during WWII and is sent a German prison camp. She lost to John G. Avildsen for "Rocky."
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Jane Campion, "The Piano" (1993) • The Australian director won an Oscar for her original screenplay for the period drama but lost the directing prize to Steven Spielberg for "Schindler's List."
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Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation" (2003) • The daughter of Oscar-winning "The Godfather" director Francis Ford Coppola picked up her first nomination for the quiet Japan-set character study, but lost to Peter Jackson for "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."
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Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker" (2009) • Bigelow not only scored a nomination, but managed to defeat her ex-husband James Cameron, whose "Avatar" scored Best Picture.
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Greta Gerwig, "Lady Bird" (2017) • The indie actress wrote and directed this feature, her first as solo director, based on her upbringing in Pasadena, Calif. But Guillermo del Toro took the prize for "The Shape of Water."
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Chloé Zhao, "Nomadland" (2020) • The Chinese-born actress earned a nomination for her third feature film, which she also wrote. She became the first Asian woman to win the directing prize.
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Emerald Fennell, "Promising Young Woman" (2020) • The London-born actress turned writer-director scored a nomination for her debut feature, starring Carey Mulligan. She lost to Chloé Zhao for "Nomadland."
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Jane Campion, "The Power of the Dog" (2021) • Campion became the first woman to earn a second directing nomination for her work on this Western that nabbed 12 nominations in all.
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