5 Surprising Facts About Ellen Pompeo's 'Blink-and-You'll-Miss-It' Role In Catch Me If You Can

Few fans of the global phenomenon *Grey's Anatomy* are aware that the actress behind the iconic Dr. Meredith Grey had a brief, but pivotal, role in one of the most celebrated films of the early 2000s. As of December 2025, retrospective analyses and fan discussions continue to highlight the star power in Steven Spielberg’s 2002 biographical crime-drama, *Catch Me If You Can*, and among the stellar cast is a young Ellen Pompeo, years before she became the highest-paid actress in television. This deep dive uncovers the details of her small, yet significant, appearance and how it marked a critical step in her ascent to Hollywood stardom.

The film, which tells the true story of master con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., is a cinematic masterpiece featuring A-list talent. Ellen Pompeo’s involvement in a movie directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks is a powerful testament to her early career hustle, even if her screen time was fleeting. It's a fascinating piece of trivia that connects the world of long-running network television to the prestige of Oscar-nominated cinema.

Ellen Pompeo: A Snapshot Biography and Early Career Timeline

Born on November 10, 1969, in Everett, Massachusetts, Ellen Pompeo is best known for her nearly two-decade run as Dr. Meredith Grey on the medical drama *Grey's Anatomy*. Her journey to becoming one of television’s most influential figures began with a series of smaller roles that built her resume.

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• Full Name: Ellen Kathleen Pompeo
• Date of Birth: November 10, 1969
• Place of Birth: Everett, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Spouse: Chris Ivery (m. 2007)
• Early Career Start: Discovered by a casting director while working as a bartender in New York City in 1995.
• First TV Role: *Law & Order* (1996).
• Feature Film Debut: The romantic comedy *Coming Soon* (1999).
• Key Pre-*Grey's* Roles: Minor roles in films like *In the Weeds* and *Mambo Café*, followed by the prominent role of Marci in *Catch Me If You Can* (2002). She also had a significant supporting role in *Moonlight Mile* (2002) alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Dustin Hoffman, and played Karen Page in *Daredevil* (2003).
• Breakout Role: Dr. Meredith Grey on *Grey's Anatomy* (2005–present), created by Shonda Rhimes.

The Forgotten Role: Who Was Marci in Catch Me If You Can?

In the cinematic world of *Catch Me If You Can*, where Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) is successfully impersonating a Pan Am pilot, Ellen Pompeo appears as a character named Marci. The role is a classic example of a "minor but memorable" appearance, often missed by casual viewers who later recognize the face of the superstar from *Grey's Anatomy*.

1. She Plays a Brief Love Interest of Leonardo DiCaprio's Character

Pompeo’s character, Marci, is one of the young women Frank Abagnale Jr. encounters while living his life of high-stakes deception. While some sources mistakenly identify her as "Joanna," the high school student Frank was meant to take to junior prom, the credit lists her as Marci, and she is a brief love interest of the charming con artist. This interaction is a small but crucial moment that highlights Frank's evolving confidence and his ability to effortlessly charm people as he travels the country.

2. The Scene is a Quick 'Blink-and-You'll-Miss-It' Moment

Pompeo's screen time is incredibly short, lasting mere seconds. It occurs relatively early in the film, solidifying the narrative of Frank's successful impersonation as a pilot. For those trying to spot the future Dr. Grey, the scene is approximately 37 minutes and 36 seconds into the film, during the segment where Frank is fully immersed in his Pan Am pilot persona. This fleeting moment contrasts sharply with her lengthy career as the lead of a television series.

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3. She Worked Directly with Steven Spielberg and A-Listers

Despite the small size of the role, landing a part in a Steven Spielberg film is a massive career coup for any young actor. *Catch Me If You Can* was a powerhouse production, featuring acting legends like Tom Hanks (as FBI Agent Carl Hanratty), Christopher Walken (as Frank Abagnale Sr.), and Martin Sheen (as Roger Strong), in addition to DiCaprio. Working on a set with this level of talent and under the direction of a maestro like Spielberg provided Pompeo with invaluable experience just a few years before she would lead her own major show.

4. The Film Premiered the Same Year as Her Other Major Pre-Grey's Role

The year 2002 was a busy one for Ellen Pompeo, demonstrating her relentless pursuit of acting roles. *Catch Me If You Can* premiered in December 2002, but earlier that year, she also starred in a much more substantial role in the drama *Moonlight Mile*. In *Moonlight Mile*, she played Bertie Knox alongside major stars like Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, and Susan Sarandon. This period shows an actress actively building her filmography with both small cameos and larger supporting roles, setting the stage for her future success.

5. It's a Perfect Example of the "Pre-Meredith Grey" Hustle

Before she was uttering iconic lines like "Pick me, choose me, love me" as Meredith Grey, Pompeo was a working actor taking any opportunity to be on screen. Her role in *Catch Me If You Can* is frequently cited in retrospectives as a fascinating "where are they now?" moment for the film's minor cast, serving as a powerful reminder that even the biggest stars often start with the smallest of parts. This early career hustle, which included guest spots on shows like *Friends* and *Strong Medicine*, highlights the dedication required to eventually land a career-defining role like the one in *Grey's Anatomy*.

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The Legacy of a Small Role in a Big Film

The connection between Ellen Pompeo and *Catch Me If You Can* endures not because of a grand performance, but because of the sheer contrast between the role's size and her later fame. It’s a compelling footnote in a career that quickly exploded into a global phenomenon. The film's critical and commercial success, which included nominations for Christopher Walken and an Academy Award nod for Best Original Score, ensured its lasting place in pop culture, allowing Pompeo's brief appearance to be continually rediscovered by new generations of fans.

For fans of *Grey's Anatomy*, revisiting *Catch Me If You Can* offers a fun, nostalgic glimpse at the actress before she became intrinsically linked to Seattle Grace Hospital. It’s a powerful illustration of the long and winding road to success in Hollywood, proving that every moment on set, no matter how brief, can contribute to a legendary career.