Shonda Rhimes is celebrated as one of television’s most talented writers, known for crafting unforgettable shows that keep audiences engaged. However, among her numerous stars from the past and present, who does she feel closest to these days?
During the episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast on October 8, 2023, Rhimes, 55, pondered this question before arriving at her answer.
She ultimately chose Scott Foley, who portrayed Jake Ballard on Scandal from 2013 to 2018. Explaining her choice, Rhimes noted that the proximity of their families has brought them closer together, even over her lead actresses such as Scandal‘s Kerry Washington and Grey’s Anatomy‘s Ellen Pompeo.
“The reason is because he and I and his wife are great friends,” Rhimes shared. “We live in the same town now. I moved to Connecticut and kind of stalked them by moving to the same town, although it wasn’t intentional.”
Since relocating to Connecticut from Los Angeles during the pandemic in 2020, Rhimes has also highlighted that their children have become friends as well.
In addition, she shared that she and Foley’s wife, Marika Domińczyk, have developed a friendship through their shared interest in golf, learning the sport together. This summer, Domińczyk, 45, posted a video on Instagram showcasing their golf outings, in matching shirts and jackets.
Tony Goldwyn, Shonda Rhimes, Marika Foley, and Scott Foley. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Americares
With Rhimes and Foley’s families becoming part of her circle in Connecticut, it’s worth noting that the writer’s breakthrough didn’t stem solely from her work on Scandal.
Rhimes started out by writing the screenplay for 2002’s Crossroads and crafting the story for 2004’s The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement before transitioning to television. In 2005, she introduced Grey’s Anatomy, which has reached a milestone of 450 episodes as of this week.
She later continued her success with the spinoff Private Practice, which aired from 2007 to 2013.
In 2012, Scandal premiered and concluded after seven successful seasons in 2018. Following this, another Grey’s spinoff, Station 19, debuted in 2018 and lasted until 2024. Rhimes’ contributions to entertainment continue to grow with Netflix’s Bridgerton, which she executive produces, along with its spinoff Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, which she developed herself.
Scott Foley, Shonda Rhimes, Tony Goldwyn, Bellamy Young, and Katie Lowes at the 2025 US Open Tennis Championships. XNY/Star Max/GC Images
On “Call Her Daddy,” while reflecting on her impressive career, Rhimes participated in a rapid-fire segment where she shared a few fun favorites from her shows. When asked which character she would like to swap lives with for a day, she didn’t hesitate to name Grey’s doctor Christina Yang, wonderfully played by Sandra Oh.
If she found herself in a crisis, Rhimes declared that the first person she’d turn to would be Scandal‘s Olivia Pope, as portrayed by Washington.
In a humorous moment, Rhimes disclosed that she might get in trouble for mentioning, “I took the resolute desk — the one that Fitz has, from Scandal.”
She was referring to the desk used by Tony Goldwyn‘s character Fitzgerald “Fitz” Grant throughout the show. “I have that. I’ve taken quite a bit, actually,” she joked, “I could probably create my own museum with all of it.”
