logo
Getty Images.
Getty Images.

'Grey's Anatomy' Bids Farewell to Justin Chambers' Character Alex Karev as He Leaves Seattle to Be with His Children

Odette Odendaal
Mar 07, 2020
05:30 A.M.

The truth behind Alex Karev leaving "Grey's Anatomy" finally revealed itself while ABC also paid Justin Chambers' character a touching farewell after sixteen seasons on the popular medical drama.

Advertisement

On Thursday, ABC posted a touching video of Alex Karev's time on "Grey's Anatomy," who appeared on the show from its very first episode.

Advertisement

ALEX'S ABC FAREWELL

In the two-and-a-half-minute clip, viewers saw Alex start as a cocky young intern and develop into one of the show's most beloved characters.

The episode that aired, later on, explained Alex's departure with a shocking twist as his wife Jo, Meredith Grey, Richard Webber, and Miranda Bailey each get a letter from him.

Advertisement

The following will be a spoiler for anyone who would prefer to see the episode first. For those who already saw, would know that Alex explained the reason for leaving in those letters.

THE REASON ALEX LEFT

In the letter he wrote for Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Alex explained that when she got into trouble with the insurance fraud trial, he contacted his ex-wife Izzie to get her letter of support but also to "hear her voice."

Advertisement

As it turns out, Izzie (Katherine Heigl)has two children - Alex's children. So he decided to leave Seattle to be with her and their children in Kansas.

When Izzie battled cancer before she and Alex broke up, they had embryos frozen because they didn't know if she would be able to have children after treatment. So she used those embryos to get pregnant.

HIS LETTER TO JO

Advertisement

Alex told Jo (Camilla Luddington) in the letter that leaving like without a face-to-face explanation is "officially the worst thing" he's ever done and said that she deserved "so much better."

While Alex said that he loved her, he explained that he is also in love with Izzy and their 5-year-old twins and apologized for leaving her like that.

Telling Jo that she deserves all the good things in life, he added having left her his share in Grey Sloan Memorial hospital along with signed divorce papers.

Advertisement

JUSTIN CHAMBERS ON LEAVING THE SHOW

Fans of the medical drama last saw Alex on the show in November when he appeared on the 350th episode. According to Justin, it wasn't easy putting this chapter of his life behind him, as he said in a statement:

“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.”

Justin Chambers, wife Keisha Chambers, and their children attend the Stuart House Benefit held at the John Varvatos Boutique on March 8, 2009. | Source: Getty Images.

Justin Chambers, wife Keisha Chambers, and their children attend the Stuart House Benefit held at the John Varvatos Boutique on March 8, 2009. | Source: Getty Images.

Advertisement

However, Justin also looks forward to tackling new projects and diversifying his acting while feeling "blessed" having turned 50 with years of great memories from the show, and with a "remarkable" wife and five children.

Justin Chambers and his real-life wife, Keisha met decades ago before his time on "Grey's Anatomy" when he modeled for Calvin Klein and Keisha worked as a consultant for a modeling firm.

The pair felt an instant connection from the first time they met and eventually tied the knot in 1993 before starting their family.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

‘Webster’s Susan Clark & Alex Karras’ 32-Year Marriage after Susan Made Alex an Ultimatum about His Wife

March 30, 2022

Ken Jennings Took 9 Months to Ask Wife for a Date - To Avoid Divorce He Told Her His Secrets about 'Jeopardy!'

April 13, 2022

Man Finds Abandoned Stroller with a Newborn Baby in the Subway, Years Later the Mother Appears – Story of the Day

March 02, 2022

At Husband’s Funeral, Woman Notices Note Sticking Out of His Pocket, Quietly Pulls It Out – Story of the Day

February 18, 2022

Alex Trebek Was Not 'Looking for Love' When He Met Wife with Whom He Feels Like 'One Soul in Two Bodies'

March 18, 2022

Taxi Driver Returns Lost Wallet with $1600, Receives Amount 100 Times More Months Later – Story of the Day

February 01, 2022

Years after Parents’ Death, Little Girl Discovers Her Adoptive Mom Is Actually Her Birth Parent – Story of the Day

March 30, 2022

Ellen Pompeo & Her Husband Went from Friends to Dating after She ‘Looked Different’ to Him One Night

February 07, 2022

Alex Guarnaschelli & Decade Younger Fiancé Split ⁠— He Proposed after Her Kid from Her First Marriage Approved

May 20, 2022

Little Girl in Orphanage Waits with Suitcase outside Daily for Father Who Promised to Return – Story of the Day

March 08, 2022

Marlo Thomas’ Spouse Was a Virgin before Marriage to Mom of His 5 Kids & a Lousy Lover Afterward

February 03, 2022

Stepson Mocked by Adoptive Parents & Their Children Finds Letters They Hid from Him – Story of the Day

March 12, 2022

Rich Man Refuses to Help Poor Little Boy, Years Later They Meet When Man Is in Trouble – Story of the Day

February 03, 2022

Before Disembarking Plane, Pilot Notices Last Passenger inside Who Is a Carbon Copy of Him – Story of the Day

March 31, 2022