37 Jackson Avery Quotes: 'Grey’s Anatomy’s' Privileged and Pretty Surgeon

Jackson Avery, the grandson of the renowned surgeon Harper Avery, may have been labeled as "the pretty one" by his family, but he defied expectations to become an exceptional surgeon. Let's delve into a collection of 37 insightful quotes that shed light on the life and journey of this former Head of Plastic Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

In the high-pressure world of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, where lives are saved and hearts are broken, Jackson Avery emerged as a character who not only captivated audiences but also left a lasting impact on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Beyond his dashing looks and privileged background, Jackson proved to be much more than his family had anticipated. Inspired by the legendary stories shared by his grandfather Harper Avery, a revered figure in the field, Jackson embarked on a path to become a surgeon, defying the stereotypes associated with his privileged upbringing.

During his tenure at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Jackson was the Head of Plastic Surgery and an attending ENT, showcasing his exceptional surgical skills and dedication to his patients. He formed lasting connections and experienced a tumultuous romantic relationship with fellow surgeon April Kepner, whom he married and with whom he shares a daughter and a heartbreaking loss of their son.

However, the journey didn't end there for Jackson. In a bold move, he relocated to Boston to take over the Catherine Fox Foundation, an organization dedicated to achieving equity in medical care. This decision not only allowed him to make a meaningful impact in the field but also brought him closer to his daughter, Harriet, and his newly divorced ex-wife, April. Their time in Boston sparked a rekindling of their romance.

As we explore these 37 quotes that revolve around Jackson Avery, we will gain a deeper understanding of his motivations, struggles, and the transformative moments that shaped him into the extraordinary surgeon and individual he became.

Marianne, with Sally Rooney’s quote from her novel, “Normal People”: “Life is the thing you bring with you inside your own head.” |Source: AmoDays

Jackson Avery Quotes about Love

"Something that feels this good, can't be bad." — Jackson Avery

"I know it might not be what you planned or how you planned it, but we can get married and have an awesome kid." — Jackson Avery

"I, uh, just took Priya home and...told her we couldn't see each other anymore." — Jackson Avery

"God, I don't know if you're out there or not, or if you can even hear people that don't know you're out there, or if you give a [expletive] about what they say, but God, Yahweh, ET, Buddha, whatever... April knows. She knows, right? She believes, and she needs you, so show up for her? Please? Show up for April. She loves you. She needs you. Please, show up for her. Please." — Jackson Avery

"I will watch you. I will worry about you. I'm not gonna apologize for that. It's kinda what I'm here for." — Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery’s quote: "I love everything about you. Even the things I don't like, I love." |Source: AmoDays

“Love makes you do crazy things. And I'm really happy for you.” — Jackson Avery

"I kissed you back." — Jackson Avery

"Nobody has just one soulmate. That'd be such a dumb system!" — Jackson Avery

"I love everything about you. Even the things I don't like, I love." — Jackson Avery

"You're beautiful. You're brilliant. You're powerful." — Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery’s quote: “Love makes you do crazy things. And I'm really happy for you.” |Source: AmoDays

"Yeah, she was. But, um, all the time I'm with her, I am thinking about you. Which isn't really fair to her. And I know what you're gonna say. I know you think it's complicated, Maggie, but...relationships have complications. I mean, you can get hurt in the game; you can get hurt on the sidelines." — Jackson Avery

"How about I take you on a proper date? Hm? Go to that Italian place that you won't shut up about. Maybe we could have some wine... a lot of wine. And we could order dessert even though we're both full just so we could share. I can get you home...walk you up onto the porch...open the door." — Jackson Avery

"I love you, and I think that you love me too. Do you?" — Jackson Avery

Emotional, Blunt and Affectionate Jackson Avery Quotes

"Harper Avery was not only a permanent fixture in medicine. He was my grandfather. I take special comfort in knowing that he died. D-doing... Doing what he loved." — Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery’s quote: “I don't get why Nisha's dead and we are not.” |Source: AmoDays

"Now I'm gonna go smash my head in with a hammer and see if I can forget that you said that." — Jackson Avery

"If I had to hear something like that, I'd want to hear it from you." — Jackson Avery

"Someone should stay with you tonight and have plenty of fluids." — Jackson Avery

"Knowing very well that she might win tonight, Dr. Grey opted to stay in Seattle. A trauma came in, and she knew that she was the right doctor for the job. That's one of the many reasons that I'm so very, very proud to call her my colleague and my friend. Now, Dr. Grey has experienced more loss in her life than I think most of us would deem fair. She lost her little sister, Lexie Grey, who I know would love to be here tonight with us. She lost her husband, Dr. Derek Shepherd, who knew with total certainty that this night would happen. And she also lost her mother, Dr. Ellis Grey, who won this award twice... once as a resident...and probably would have won a few more if she hadn't been taken from all of us so young. The most amazing thing about Meredith, though, is that she takes all that pain, all that loss, and she turns it into drive...drive to save lives, to make things better, and despite all that she's lost, she continued to find joy in her work as a surgeon, as a teacher, as a mother. And she managed to share that joy through her spirit of discovery and of possibility and of hope right in the face of darkness. I am profoundly grateful...for the lessons that I have learned from Meredith Grey, and it is my distinct honor to accept this award on her behalf. Congrats, Meredith!" — Jackson Avery

“I don't get why Nisha's dead and we are not.” — Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery’s quote: "If I had to hear something like that, I'd want to hear it from you." |Source: AmoDays

"We are not close. That is not something we do." — Jackson Avery

"I'll be damned if I'm gonna let my grandfather do to you what he did to all these women." — Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery Quotes Relating to His Job as a Doctor

“I've never felt less like a doctor in my life.” — Jackson Avery

"I'm fine. I got hit by a gurney." — Jackson Avery

"I already got my own thing going on, and, frankly, it's a little more cutting-edge than what essentially amounts to an elective cosmetic procedure." — Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery’s quote: “I've never felt less like a doctor in my life.” |Source: AmoDays

"Which is really a testament to your work, the incredible job that you're doing under the superb...superb guidance of Chief Bailey here." — Jackson Avery

“He shot up dozens of people. And this surgery's going to take all day.” — Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery Wise and Opinionated Quotes

“I didn't say anything about racist. I said biased…bias is fixable.” —Jackson Avery

“You start by dipping your toe into the water, and then eventually you learn to swim.” —Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery’s quote: “I didn't say anything about racist. I said biased…bias is fixable.” |Source: AmoDays

"You have protocols in place. Those can be adjusted. You can fix it. Or you can keep pretending that it doesn't exist at all. Kids are dying." —Jackson Avery

More Jackson Avery Quotes

"This Batmobile goes zero to 60 in 4.7 seconds." —Jackson Avery

"I'd clean the restroom if he'd let me on his trial." —Jackson Avery

"Yeah, those can be the worst neighborhoods for us. I grew up in those neighborhoods. Just being there is suspicious. Constantly stopped for 'fitting the description.' I remember I was walking, carrying these speakers for my friend, and these cops pulled up on me. Car screeches to a halt. They jump out, guns drawn, yelling at me to drop everything, slam me into the car, handcuff me. I mean, I was one block from my front door." —Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery’s quote: “You start by dipping your toe into the water, and then eventually you learn to swim.” |Source: AmoDays

“You might get an invite from me to join the plastics posse.” — Jackson Avery

"No, no, no. I am. I mean, I feel great about it, you know? This is the kind of thing that wins contests. I could definitely win a Harper Avery with this." — Jackson Avery

"She's a girl. Girls cry." — Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery’s quote: “You might get an invite from me to join the plastics posse.” |Source: AmoDays

After 12 years of portraying the beloved character Jackson Avery, Jesse Williams bid farewell to Grey's Anatomy in 2021. It was a necessary change for Williams, who expressed a desire to break out of his comfort zone and venture into the unknown.

Grey's Anatomy, even after eighteen years, continues to be a powerhouse on ABC, captivating millions of viewers each week. The departures of other long-standing cast members, such as Ellen Pompeo and Kelly McCreary, remind us of the show's ever-evolving nature. Just as characters come and go, the show persists, inviting new faces and stories to captivate our screens.

The departure of Jesse Williams as Jackson Avery marks the end of an era, leaving a void in the hearts of fans. However, it also opens up new possibilities for both the actor and the show.

As we bid adieu to Jackson Avery, we carry with us the lessons learned from his journey—a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the ability to defy expectations. Jackson's story serves as a reminder that our backgrounds and labels do not define us; it is our actions and choices that shape our destinies.

As Grey's Anatomy continues to captivate audiences with its compelling narratives, we eagerly await the arrival of new characters and the next chapter in this iconic medical drama. For now, we say goodbye to Jackson Avery, grateful for the moments and quotes that allowed us to witness his remarkable transformation.

Another alumnus to grace the halls of Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital was Katherine Heigl’s Izzie Stevens. Find out more about her character by reading these 46 quotes.