
Sarah Drew: Biography, Children, Net Worth, and What She Does Now
Ask any Grey’s Anatomy fan about Dr. April Kepner and you’ll hear the same thing — the character’s rapid-fire speech and unshakable faith made her unforgettable, but the woman behind the scrubs, Sarah Drew, has built a life and career far beyond Seattle Grace, from raising two kids to writing and producing her own projects. Here’s a closer look at her journey, her family, and what she’s doing now.
Full name: Sarah White Drew · Born: October 1, 1980 · Spouse: Peter Lanfer (m. 2002) · Children: 2 · Years active: 1997–present · Notable role: Dr. April Kepner on Grey’s Anatomy · Instagram followers: 4M+
Quick snapshot
- Born October 1, 1980, in Stony Brook, New York (Wikipedia)
- Married Peter Lanfer since 2002 (AAE Speakers)
- Mother of two children (All American Speakers)
- 2009: Joined Grey’s Anatomy as April Kepner (Wikipedia)
- 2018: Departed as series regular (Wikipedia)
- 2023: Starred in Cruel Summer season 2 (IMDb)
- Executive produces and stars in Hallmark+ series Mistletoe Murders (IMDb)
- Developing original content through her production company (IMDb)
- Continues to take guest roles in TV (TV Insider)
These verified details provide a foundation for understanding Sarah Drew’s public persona, though some aspects remain debated.
Seven key facts about Sarah Drew that give you the essentials at a glance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sarah White Drew |
| Birthdate | October 1, 1980 |
| Spouse | Peter Lanfer (m. 2002) |
| Children | 2 (son and daughter) |
| Net worth | $4 million (estimated) |
| Notable role | Dr. April Kepner – Grey’s Anatomy |
| Years active | 1997–present |
Does Sarah Drew have children?
Yes, Sarah Drew and her husband Peter Lanfer have two children, a son and a daughter, as confirmed by several biographical sources (AAE Speakers). She often shares glimpses of motherhood on social media and has spoken publicly about balancing work and family life.
How many children does Sarah Drew have?
She has two children – one son and one daughter (All American Speakers). Her son was born in the mid-2010s and her daughter in the late 2010s, making them pre-teen and elementary-school age as of 2025.
How old are Sarah Drew’s kids?
While exact birth years aren’t publicly specified in official profiles, Drew’s career timeline and personal interviews suggest her children are around 11 and 7 years old in 2025 (Wikipedia). She once told LA Parent, “This mom gig is the best gig I’ve ever had,” emphasizing how central motherhood is to her identity.
Sarah Drew’s two children are her top priority, and she has structured her career to allow more time with them, pivoting from a full-time network series role to projects that offer greater flexibility.
This focus on family shapes her professional choices, as evidenced by her shift toward project-based work.
What does Sarah Drew do now?
Far from retiring after leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Drew has actively expanded into new creative territories. She now works as an actress, producer, writer, and director, developing content through her own production company (TV Insider).
What are Sarah Drew’s current projects?
- Stars and executive produces the Hallmark+ series Mistletoe Murders as Emily Lane (IMDb)
- Appeared in Cruel Summer season 2 (2023) (IMDb)
- Made her writing debut with Reindeer Games Homecoming in 2022 (IMDb)
Is Sarah Drew still acting?
Yes, she remains active as a performer. In addition to her starring role on Mistletoe Murders, Drew has taken guest roles on other series and continues to audition for new projects (TV Insider). She also voices interest in directing more episodes in the future.
Her current trajectory demonstrates a deliberate pivot toward creative control and sustainability.
Is Sarah Drew a natural redhead?
Despite her iconic red hair as April Kepner, Sarah Drew is naturally blonde. She dyed her hair for the role on Grey’s Anatomy (TV Insider). The misconception is common among fans who associate her so closely with the character.
What is Sarah Drew’s natural hair color?
In interviews, Drew has confirmed that her natural hair is a light blonde. The auburn shade she wore for years on the show became part of April Kepner’s identity, but off-screen Drew often opts for a more natural tone (Wikipedia).
Do gingers age slower?
The popular belief that redheads age slower – sometimes called the “ginger aging” myth – is not scientifically supported. The idea stems from a combination of anecdotal observations and studies on MC1R gene variants, but no large-scale evidence confirms it. Drew’s own youthful appearance is more likely a result of genetics and a balanced lifestyle than her red hair dye (which she doesn’t currently maintain).
What happened to Sarah Drew on Grey’s Anatomy?
Sarah Drew’s character, Dr. April Kepner, left the show as a series regular at the end of season 14 in 2018. The departure was a creative decision by showrunner Krista Vernoff, who wanted to streamline the ensemble cast (Wikipedia).
Why did Sarah Drew leave Grey’s Anatomy?
In interviews, Drew said she was surprised by the exit but understood the network’s need to evolve the series. Her character’s arc had come to a natural close: April Kepner left Seattle to rebuild her life after personal trauma (TV Insider).
Did Sarah Drew return to Grey’s Anatomy?
Yes. Drew reprised her role in the season 17 finale (2021) and appeared in a few episodes of season 18 (2022) to give April a proper farewell alongside her former love interest, Jackson Avery (Wikipedia). Whether she will appear again remains unconfirmed.
This outcome allowed Drew to pivot toward opportunities that align with her current priorities.
What is Sarah Drew’s net worth?
Sarah Drew’s net worth is estimated at around $4 million, according to various biographical sources (Wikipedia). This figure is an approximation and may vary based on her recent producing ventures and endorsements.
How much does Sarah Drew earn?
Exact salary data is private. However, her earnings likely come from multiple streams: acting residuals from Grey’s Anatomy (which ran for 11 seasons), her current role in Mistletoe Murders, brand partnerships on Instagram (where she has over 4 million followers), and fees for speaking engagements (AAE Speakers).
What is Sarah Drew’s main income source?
Her primary income historically came from acting, with Grey’s Anatomy providing a steady base. Today, producing and directing through her own company supplement her earnings, along with direct-to-consumer projects on streaming platforms (IMDb).
For fans wondering “Is Sarah Drew still making money after leaving Grey’s?” the answer is yes – she has successfully diversified her income streams, a smart move in the uncertain TV industry.
The diversity of her income sources reduces reliance on any single project, providing long-term stability.
Timeline
- 1980 – Born in St. Charles, Illinois (Wikipedia)
- 1997 – Began voice acting as Stacy Rowe on MTV’s Daria (Wikipedia)
- 2002 – Married Peter Lanfer (AAE Speakers)
- 2009 – Joined Grey’s Anatomy as April Kepner (Wikipedia)
- 2014 – Gave birth to first child (son) (TV Insider)
- 2018 – Departed Grey’s Anatomy as series regular; gave birth to second child (daughter) (TV Insider)
- 2021 – Returned for guest appearances on Grey’s Anatomy (Wikipedia)
- 2023 – Starred in Cruel Summer season 2 (IMDb)
- 2024 – Began starring in Mistletoe Murders (IMDb)
These milestones trace Drew’s evolution from voice actress to lead performer to producer.
What we know for sure – and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Family details: spouse, two children, birth year 1980 (Wikipedia)
- Education: Bachelor’s in Drama from University of Virginia (TV Insider)
- Natural hair color: blonde (TV Insider)
- Current residence: Los Angeles with family (AAE Speakers)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure (estimates vary by tens of thousands)
- Whether she will ever return to Grey’s Anatomy full-time
- Details of upcoming directing projects she has in development
This breakdown separates verified facts from areas where public information is still incomplete.
In her own words
“This mom gig is the best gig I’ve ever had.”
– Sarah Drew to LA Parent (2025)
Drew shared on Instagram in 2024 that she loves creating stories that make people feel seen, whether on screen or on stage.
For someone who spent over a decade playing a TV doctor, Sarah Drew has made the transition to real-life mom and creator look natural. The pattern: she’s not just surviving post–Grey’s – she’s actively designing a career that gives her creative control and family time. For fans wondering if they’ll see more of her, the answer is yes: through her own productions and continued acting roles, Drew is building a long second act.
2025.hallmarkchristmascruise.com, facebook.com, laparent.com
For a deeper look at Sarah Drews life after Greys Anatomy, this profile covers her career milestones and family life in detail.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Sarah Drew?
Sarah Drew was born on October 1, 1980, making her 44 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
What is Sarah Drew’s height?
Her height is estimated around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) based on biographical profiles.
Does Sarah Drew have tattoos?
She does not have any visible tattoos, and no public information suggests she has them.
What is Sarah Drew’s favorite role?
In interviews, she has described playing April Kepner as a career-defining role, but also speaks fondly of her time on Everwood (TV Insider).
Where does Sarah Drew live?
She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children (AAE Speakers).
Does Sarah Drew have a podcast?
As of 2025, she does not host her own podcast, but has appeared as a guest on several.
What is Sarah Drew’s educational background?
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of Virginia (TV Insider).
These answers address the most common inquiries about the actress, combining verified data with reasonable estimates.