Eric Dane, the actor widely recognized for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at the age of 53, less than a year after revealing he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said in a statement.
The California-born performer portrayed family patriarch Cal Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria and earlier gained international fame as Dr. Mark Sloan — nicknamed “Dr McSteamy” — on Grey’s Anatomy. He also appeared in Charmed as Jason Dean and led the action drama The Last Ship as Captain Tom Chandler, alongside film roles in Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day and Burlesque.
The statement added he spent his final days surrounded by loved ones, including his wife Rebecca Gayheart and daughters Billie and Georgia, “who were the center of his world”.
“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,” it said.
Dane had spoken publicly about his diagnosis last summer, telling ABC’s Good Morning America that it left him “angry”.
“Because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young,” he said.
“And now, you know, there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young”.
ALS — also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — is a progressive motor neurone condition that damages nerve cells controlling muscle movement, eventually affecting speech, mobility, eating and breathing.
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane made his television debut in The Wonder Years in 1993 before building a decades-long career across television and film.
Tributes from colleagues followed quickly. Kim Raver, who plays Teddy Altman in Grey’s Anatomy, said: “During filming he’d get this twinkle in his eye and with a mischievous look, he would deliver with perfect comedic timing, a line of dialogue that would floor you.” Kevin McKidd posted “rest in peace buddy” on Instagram, while Euphoria creator Sam Levinson said: “I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend.”
“Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift,” he added.
Dane’s death comes after months of advocacy raising awareness of ALS, leaving behind a career remembered both for dramatic intensity and a charismatic on-screen presence that made him one of television’s most recognizable faces.
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