Ellen Pompeo may not act after "Grey's Anatomy"

Ellen Pompeo attends an event celebrating Pharrell Williams on Feb. 27, 2014, in Los Angeles. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Ellen Pompeo may quit acting when she hangs up her doctor's coat.

The "Grey's Anatomy" star says she doesn't see herself staying in the acting profession when filming on ABC's long-running drama series eventually comes to a conclusion.

Pompeo, 44, made the comments about her career Wednesday while appearing at a BuzzFeed Brews Q+A panel in Hollywood, California. Pompeo was joined at the event by "The Help" actress Viola Davis and Kerry Washington, star of ABC's "Scandal" -- a series which, like "Grey's," was created by Shonda Rhimes.

"I definitely don't have a strong desire to act after 'Grey's.' I definitely feel myself transitioning," Pompeo said. "I don't find acting terribly empowering."

"Wow, that's a great statement," Washington remarked.

Pompeo clarified, "I think my age. I think once I hit 40, I feel differently. I don't necessarily want to work for other people."

After years of guest spots on TV shows like "Law & Order," Pompeo first gained notice when she made her film debut in 2002's "Moonlight Mile." She landed additional film roles in 2002's "Catch Me If You Can" and 2003's "Old School" before taking on the role of Dr. Meredith Grey in 2005.

Pompeo hasn't appeared in any other roles since she began starring in "Grey's." Her last acting credit was in 2005's "Life of the Party."

"I don't know, maybe part of my personality is I feel like I have something to prove sometimes. And with acting I have nothing to prove anymore. Even though I have no awards," Pompeo joked. "Well, I have no Emmys."

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Ellen Pompeo may not act after "Grey's Anatomy"