Isaiah Washington Returns to 'Grey's Anatomy' After Seven-Year Absence for Gay Slur

Actor Isaiah Washington is coming back to ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy

for a special episode after a seven-plus year absence for using an anti-gay slur on set.

The long-running show will welcome Washington’s character to help wrap up a character arc involving regular Sandra Oh, his on-screen partner.

Washington was booted from the show in 2007 after a verbal altercation with cast member T.R. Knight in which Washington referred to him by a gay slur. More spirited words followed with Washington and fellow cast member Patrick Dempsey, where Washington allegedly used the same gay slur again.

Knight later came out as gay following the incident.

Washington’s Hollywood life changed dramatically afterward.

After the incident at the Golden Globes, everything just fell apart,” Washington said in an interview with The Huffington Post in September 2013. “I lost everything. I couldn’t afford to have an agent … I couldn’t afford to have a publicist … I couldn’t afford to continue.