George O'Malley

Lore & Background

George O'Malley is introduced as a fellow surgical intern along with Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens and Alex Karev; the 5 of them working under resident Miranda Bailey. On his first day as an intern, O'Malley is chosen by cardiothoracic surgery chief Preston Burke to perform the first surgery among the interns. He freezes in the operating room, earning the nickname '007' after almost killing a patient during a routine procedure—a reference to James Bond's 'license to kill.'

O'Malley shows a natural talent for trauma surgery, and Owen Hunt, the attending of trauma surgery, encourages him to pursue it as his specialty. O'Malley then surprises everyone by deciding to join the U.S. Army to serve in Iraq. While his friends at the hospital plan an intervention to convince him to stay, they work on a severely injured John Doe, a victim of a bus accident who saved a woman's life by pushing her out of the way. John Doe writes '007' on Meredith's hand, and she realizes that the disfigured patient is actually George.

The team rushes to operate, but George ultimately flatlines and is declared brain-dead. Callie confirms his identity through a freckle on his hand. His organs are donated, and George is buried a week later.

Reader's Guide

George O'Malley was a surgical intern who worked his way up to the level of surgical resident at Seattle Grace Hospital. He was one of five original interns introduced in the series, working under resident Miranda Bailey. His major relationships included a marriage to Callie Torres, from whom he later separated to pursue a relationship with Izzie Stevens. He also briefly entertained romantic interests with Meredith Grey and Olivia Jankovic. His defining character arc included earning the nickname '007' after freezing during his first surgery, later showing a natural talent for trauma surgery under Owen Hunt. O'Malley decided to join the U.S. Army to serve in Iraq, but died after being severely injured in a bus accident, ultimately flatlining and being declared brain-dead. His organs were donated, and he was buried a week later.

Did You Know?

• T. R. Knight signed on for the pilot expecting the role might be short-lived because he appreciated the character's multi-faceted nature.
• Knight received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2007 for his portrayal of O'Malley.
• Knight cited a 'breakdown in communication' with Shonda Rhimes, reduced screen time, and his decision to come out as gay as reasons for his departure from the show.