Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Former Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey has spent the last year and a half trying to make it work with his wife of 15 years, Jillian.

And unlike most marriages in Hollywood, the acclaimed actor, 50, and his wife seem to have done just that.

More than 20 months after the two revealed they were separating, Dempsey spoke to People.

“I didn’t feel like we had done all the work. And we both wanted to do that work. That’s where it started,” he told the magazine.

In fact, he said he was literally scared at the prospect of losing his wife.

“It’s always destabilizing when you’re potentially breaking up a family or you have a big section of your life that’s ending,” he added.

This news comes after reports earlier this year that the possibility of divorce had been a “wake-up call” for the actor. The duo were seen holding hands again this past January, one year after the split news. Suddenly, the two were back on.

Dempsey told People that couples counseling and more time at home were things that have worked for the parents of three.

“Our union has to be the priority,” he said. “You’ve got to communicate, and stay open and not get lazy. And not give up. And lots of sex!”

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