It’s that time of year… Happy 50th Birthday, Justin Chambers! You’ve accomplished so much & have done so with kindness, humbleness, generosity & helluva lot of talent. The world’s a better place ’cause you were born. May the next 50 be filled with love, peace, health, laughter & great adventures! 🎂🥳🥂✨💖

 
Justin’s former Grey’s Anatomy co-star, Ellen Pompeo, commented on a birthday tweet with video from the Grey’s panel at the 2017 PaleyFest and said she loves him.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Justin Chambers’ onscreen acting debut. 🥳🙌🎉

His first role was on the soap opera Another World in 1995. He played 19-year-old bad boy Nick Terry/Hudson who arrives in Bay City looking for the father he has never known.

I put together a clip with Nick’s introduction and two other scenes from Another World that can be watched below (also can be watched on Twitter and Instagram, but I had to trim the scenes in those videos because of length limits on those platforms).

The video/audio quality isn’t great, but it’s still definitely cool to see Justin at the beginning of his professional acting career 25 years ago.⭐

★ It’s the end of an era – the Alex Karev era – on Grey’s Anatomy. Though Justin didn’t appear in episode 16.16 titled “Leave a Light on,” he did provide the voiceovers for Alex’s letters and this episode marked his series wrap.

I already shared my thoughts before, but I’ll reiterated my gratitude to Justin for his hard work and dedication to brilliantly playing Alex for 16 seasons and congratulate him for bringing to life a character who’s had a huge impact in the Grey’s universe and been an inspiration for fans around the world. I wish Justin all the very best in this new chapter of his life. ✨❤️

Following the airing of the episode, ABC released this “A Farewell to Alex Karev” video tribute.

 
★ Grey’s showrunner Krista Vernoff released this statement after the episode:

“It is nearly impossible to say goodbye to Alex Karev. That is as true for me and for all of the writers at Grey’s Anatomy as it is for the fans. We have loved writing Alex. And we have loved watching Justin Chambers’ nuanced portrayal of him. For 16 seasons, 16 years, we have grown up alongside Alex Karev. We have been frustrated by his limitations and we have been inspired by his growth and we have come to love him deeply and to think of him as one of our very best friends. We will miss him terribly. And we will always be grateful for his impact, on our show, on our hearts, on our fans, on the world.”

 
★ A few people who worked with Justin have mentioned him recently. Jesse Williams aka Dr. Jackson Avery speaking to Entertainment Tonight had this to say about the departure of Justin and Alex Karev:

“It can’t not reverberate. It’s such an incredible, impactful character,” Williams told ET on Wednesday in New York City while promoting his upcoming Broadway debut in Take Me Out on the aftermath of Alex’s departure. “I’ve always said that’s always been one of my favorite characters.”

Even with Chambers’ time on Grey’s over, his absence will be deeply felt for the foreseeable future, especially when it comes to Jo’s storyline moving forward.

“[Justin’s] been one of the sweetest and funniest guys on set with me and everyone, certainly not just me. He’s a light and he’s so unassuming and chill as a person. And that character is specific and rooted and motivated,” the 38-year-old actor said. “Yeah, it’s a big departure and it will impact all of us and impact the relationships that form and sever as a result, for sure.”

 
Lisa Ann Walter posted this sweet story about the compliment Justin gave her when they worked together in the 350th episode (ep 16.08 “My Shot”). The full post can be read below but here is the Justin-related part.

“…Justin gave me probably one of the top two compliments I’ve ever received for my acting…
After shooting in the morning, Justin approached me on a break –
He had Camilla Luddington introduce him and said this: “I told Camilla I wanted to meet you because I wanted to tell you this-”
With that he faced me, taking both of my arms in his hands- looking into my eyes. “Your work inspired me. The scene in The Parent Trap – where you learn that one twin is the other… that’s one of the scenes that made me want to become an actor”. I gasped. “That’s the best compliment you could ever give me – besides that I’m a good mom”. We spoke more – about work and how it was when we were young actors. But I thought everyone should know what a kindness he did for me.
Our work isn’t easy. There are people in my industry who’ve gone out of their way to be kind… But this moment stood out – and I wanted to share. This is who Justin Chambers is.”

 
Marika Dominczyk, who played Eliza Minnick in season 13, congratulated and wished Justin well with this post.

Here is full update for the 350th episode of Grey’s Anatomy titled “My Shot”, which is also the last episode Justin appears in as Alex Karev.

★ The links to the albums with the promotional photos, screencaps and BTS photos are all below. The BTS photos were posted on Instagram by Grey’s actor Chris Carmack, and guest actors Lisa Ann Walter and Omar Leyva.

Promotional Photos > 16.08 – My Shot

Screencaps > 16.08 – My Shot

Season 16 > Behind the Scenes/ On Set

 
★ During a break while shooting this episode, the cast and crew of the show celebrated reaching another milestone along with the producers and creator Shonda Rhimes. I added high quality photos from the celebration along with a few more photos that were posted on social media to the following album.

Grey’s Anatomy 350th Episode Celebration – October 15

 
The following video is a compilation of Instagram stories of the speeches delivered by ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke, creator Shonda Rhimes, showrunner Krista Vernoff and Ellen Pompeo, as well as cast & crew posing for the photos.

 
 
★ I’ll wrap this update with two scenes from this 350th episode that were posted on the JCO IG account. The second video is the scene where Alex reads Cristina’s recommendation letter, which is Justin’s last appearance with lines in a scene.

The rom-com classic The Wedding Planner was released 19 years ago this January.

As a throwback, I posted on the JCO social media accounts this video of Justin promoting the movie back in 2001 where he talks about being cast, his character Massimo, and working with Jennifer Lopez & Matthew McConaughey. Video can also be watched on Twitter and Facebook.

★ Actor Christian Ganiere, who played Gus Carter in Season 15 of Grey’s Anatomy (Alex’s patient with the rare blood type), was interviewed by the site Star Kidz and spoke about working with Justin and the sweet gift he received. Check out what he said below.

 
Q: What was your experience like working with Justin Chambers?

Christian: He is the best ever! He was always so nice. He knew my name. Always said hi. And when we finished shooting he gave me a bunch of matchbox cars with his information on a card that said it was great to work with me. I was blown away.
 
 

★ Now that the photo archive is up and running again, I’ve uploaded all the photos and screencaptures from the first seven episodes of season 16.
The 350th episode (ep 16.08), which is also Justin’s last episode, will be in a separate update along with the photos of the cast & crew celebration.

🔸 This is the link to the BTS photos which include Justin with a young girl who was an extra in an episode, and with Camilla Luddington during the Halloween-themed episode 16.06 “Whistlin’ Past the Graveyard”.

Season 16 > Behind the Scenes/ On Set

 
🔸 Here are the links to the albums with the episodic photos ABC released and also Justin’s season 16 cast photo.

 
🔸 And finally, these are the links to the screencaps from episode 16.01 to episode 16.07.

★ In an article from PEOPLE, Justin says it was a hard decision to leave Grey’s Anatomy after 15 years. He’s looking forward to “life, family, love, and friendships,” and in terms of his career, he’s most interested right now in producing documentaries. Check out the article below.

Justin Chambers has a lot to look forward to.

On Monday, days after the Grey’s Anatomy actor confirmed his exit from the ABC medical drama after 15 years, he addressed his difficult decision to leave the beloved Shondaland show and revealed what he wants to pursue next.

“I’m very excited [for this new chapter],” the actor told Page Six while leaving Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. “Of course [it was a hard decision]. Anywhere that you spend 15 years, it’s a big chunk of your life.”

When asked what he’s looking forward to, Chambers, 49, responded, “Life, family, love, and friendships.”

On Friday, ABC confirmed to PEOPLE that the original cast member had left Grey’s after starring as Dr. Alex Karev for 16 seasons. His final episode aired on Nov. 14, 2019, so he will not get a send-off episode.

“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 to PEOPLE. “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.”

He added, “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.”

While the actor told Page Six he’s “taking it one day at a time,” he has an idea of his next career move.

“Producing documentaries, that’s what I’m most interested in right now,” Chambers told the outlet. “Grey’s has been very supportive of me and I’m very grateful and it’s been a great ride.”

 
 
★ Following Justin’s announcement, several people who worked with him over the years on Grey’s posted on social media about him. Check out the tweets and Instagram posts below. I also added a short description of what each person did on the show.