Eric Dane, the celebrated actor finest identified for his roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria” and who later in life grew to become an advocate for ALS consciousness, died Thursday. He was 53.
His representatives mentioned Dane died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, identified additionally as Lou Gehrig’s illness, lower than a 12 months after he introduced his prognosis.
“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” mentioned a press release that requested privateness for his household. “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.”
Dane developed a loyal fanbase when his massive break arrived within the mid-2000s: He was forged as Dr. Mark Sloan, aka McSteamy, on the ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” a job he would play from 2006 till 2012 and reprise in 2021.
Although his character was killed off on the present after a airplane crash, Dane’s character left an indelible mark on the still-running present: Seattle Grace Hospital grew to become Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
In 2019, he did an entire 180 from the charming McSteamy and have become the troubled Cal Jacobs in HBO’s provocative drama “Euphoria,” a job he continued in up till his demise.
Dane additionally starred as Tom Chandler, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer at sea after a worldwide disaster worn out many of the world’s inhabitants, within the TNT drama “The Last Ship.” In 2017, manufacturing was halted as Dane battled despair.
In April 2025, Dane introduced he had been identified with ALS, a progressive illness that assaults nerve cells controlling muscle groups all through the physique.
ALS regularly destroys the nerve cells and connections wanted to stroll, discuss, communicate and breathe. Most sufferers die inside three to 5 years of a prognosis.
Dane grew to become an advocate for ALS consciousness, talking a news convention in Washington on medical insurance prior authorization. “Some of you could know me from TV exhibits, similar to ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ which I play a physician. But I’m right here at present to talk briefly as a affected person battling ALS,” he mentioned in June 2025. In September of that 12 months, the ALS Network named Dane the recipient of their advocate of the 12 months award, recognizing his dedication to elevating consciousness and assist for individuals residing with ALS.
Dane was born on Nov. 9, 1972, and raised in Northern California. His father, who the actor mentioned was a Navy veteran and an architect, died of a gunshot wound when Dane was 7. After highschool, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue performing, touchdown visitor roles on exhibits like “Saved by the Bell,” “Married…With Children,” “Charmed” and “X-Men: the Last Stand,” and one season of the short-lived medical drama “Gideon’s Crossing.”
A memoir by Dane is scheduled to be printed in late 2026. “Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments” shall be launched by Maria Shriver’s The Open Field, a Penguin Random House imprint. According to Open Field, Dane’s memoir covers key moments in his life, from his first day at work on “Grey’s Anatomy” to the births of his two daughters and studying that he had ALS.
“I want to capture the moments that shaped me — the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted — so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart,” Dane said in a statement about the book. “If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling.”
Dane is survived by his spouse, actor Rebecca Gayheart, and their two teen daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine. Gayheart and Dane wed in 2004 and separated in September 2017. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, however later filed to dismiss the petition. In a December essay for New York journal’s The Cut reflecting on Dane’s prognosis, Gayheart known as their dynamic “a very complicated relationship, one that’s confusing for people.” She mentioned they by no means bought a divorce, however dated different individuals and lived individually.
“Our love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love,” she mentioned. “Eric knows that I am always going to want the best for him. That I’m going to do my best to do right by him. And I know he would do the same for me. So whatever I can do or however I can show up to make this journey better for him or easier for him, I want to do that.”
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