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Actor Eric Dane passes away following ALS diagnosis
Eric Dane, renowned for his roles in Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at 53 after a courageous fight with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family confirmed his passing on Thursday afternoon.
Life and career highlights
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane began his television career in 1993 with a guest role on The Wonder Years. He later gained prominence as Jason Dean in Charmed and Captain Tom Chandler in The Last Ship. His film credits include Marley & Me, Valentine's Day, and Burlesque.
Dane became a household name as Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed "Dr. McSteamy," on Grey's Anatomy. More recently, he portrayed Cal Jacobs, the patriarch of the Jacobs family, in HBO's hit teen drama Euphoria.
Family and final days
Dane is survived by his wife, actress and model Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia. In a statement, his family shared that he spent his final moments surrounded by loved ones, including his wife and children, 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."
Family statement
Tributes from co-stars and colleagues
Co-stars from Grey's Anatomy led an outpouring of tributes. Patrick Dempsey, who played Dr. Derek Shepherd, called Dane "a joy to work with" and praised his humor and intelligence. "Any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it," Dempsey told Virgin Radio.
Kim Raver, who portrayed Dr. Teddy Altman, recalled Dane's comedic talent: "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." Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Raver played Dane's on-screen wife in Grey's Anatomy. Their characters had a short-lived romance but were not married.
Kevin McKidd, who played Dr. Owen Hunt, posted "rest in peace buddy" on Instagram. Euphoria creator Sam Levinson called working with Dane "an honor" and being his friend "a gift."
Advocacy and legacy
Dane publicly shared his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and dedicated his final months to raising awareness and funds for research. He joined the board of directors of Target ALS in December, helping the organization surpass a $500,000 fundraising goal.
In a September video for a separate campaign, Dane described himself as "an actor... a father and now a person living with ALS," urging action to "finally push toward ending this disease." In November, he appeared in an episode of Brilliant Minds, portraying a firefighter grappling with an ALS diagnosis.
"I'm trying to save my life, and if my actions can move the needle forward for myself and countless others, I'm satisfied."
Eric Dane, Time magazine, 2025
Earlier this month, Time named Dane one of the 100 most influential people in health for his advocacy. In June, he told Good Morning America that his diagnosis had left him "angry," particularly as he had lost his father to suicide as a child. "There's a very good chance I'm going to be taken from my girls while they're very young," he said.
Understanding ALS
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare degenerative condition that causes progressive muscle paralysis. According to the NHS, it is the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND), affecting nearly 90% of patients with MND.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association notes that most people with ALS live three to five years after diagnosis, though some survive for decades. There is currently no cure for the disease, which leads to the premature degeneration of motor nerves.
