The Grey’s Anatomy cast and crew are mourning the loss of their costar Eric Dane following his death at age 53.
The actor’s family confirmed on Thursday, February 19, that Dane died following a battle with ALS.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
The statement concluded: “Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Photos of Eric Dane Through the Years: From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ to ALS Battle
Before his death, Dane became a household name after playing Dr. Mark Sloan on ABC’s hit medical drama. The actor appeared on the show from 2006 to 2012 before returning for a surprise appearance in 2021.
Dane later starred on HBO’s Euphoria, in which he played Jacob Elordi‘s onscreen father. He confirmed his ALS diagnosis shortly before filming began on season 3. (He also starred on Countdown and made a guest appearance on Brilliant Minds while battling the disease.)
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he said in an April 2025 statement. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter. I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
More recently, Dane said he felt “angry” about dealing with the condition. “Very. I’m angry because my father was taken from me when I was young. And now there’s a very good chance that I’ll be taken from my girls when they’re very young,” he explained on Good Morning America in June 2025, referring to his daughters with Rebecca Gayheart. “I mean, I really, at the end of the day, all I want is to just spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can.”
Dane credited his neurologist for giving him hope about slowing the progression of the disease.
“I would have thought I would have been the hide under the sheets kind of person, but that’s not been the case,” Dane told Extra about Dr. Merit Cudkowicz in July 2025. “My attitude and spirit has been pretty buoyant. I am just kind of riding it. Not every day has been great, but the net is, I have a pretty good life.”
Keep scrolling for the Grey’s Anatomy cast and crew’s heartfelt tributes to their late costar:
Patrick Dempsey
“I just woke up this morning and it was very sad to read the news. It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children,” Dempsey, 60, said on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio U.K. on Friday, February 20. “I was corresponding with him, we were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago, and some friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak. He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.”
“He was the funniest man — he was such a joy to work with, and I want to just remember him in that spirit, because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it,” he added. “He had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with. We got along instantly. First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on, looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant.”
Kevin McKidd
Kevin McKidd, who has portrayed Dr. Owen Hunt on the medical drama since 2008, shared a photo of Eric Dane in character as McSteamy via his Instagram Stories, writing, “Rest in peace buddy.”
Sarah Drew
Echoing the sentiment, Sarah Drew, who played Dr. April Kepner from 2009 to 2022, reshared the same image of Eric Dane that Kevin McKidd posted.
Captioning the Instagram Stories post, Drew wrote, “Rest in peace,” and added three crying emojis.
Krista Vernoff
Former Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff shared a text exchange with Eric Dane accompanied by a touching caption.
The messages were sent when Vernoff asked Dane to return to his famous role as Mark “McSteamy” Sloan for a dream sequence in Grey’s season 17 alongside love interest Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh). Fan favorites Lexie and McSteamy had been killed off in previous seasons.
Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart’s Relationship Timeline
“I called Eric and he answered immediately,” Vernoff reflected in the caption. “I said, ‘Will you come back? I know it’s a pandemic and shooting is a nightmare but we’re gonna do it on the beach and keep our social distance because the world needs joy and Mark and Lexie are joy.’ He said where and when. When I came to set that day, he said, we’re breaking the rules and hugging now right?”
She continued, “The thing I will remember most about Eric Dane are his hugs. The best hugs. Oh my friend. I wish you peace.”
Kim Raver
“Eric was a light. You’d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Grey’s as well as when he was with Rebecca and the girls,” Kim Raver shared via Instagram. “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! You will be missed 🤍.”
“My love and thoughts go out to Rebecca and their girls. We love you,” Raver added.
James Pickens Jr.
“Rest in peace 🙏,” James Pickens Jr., who plays Richard Webber, captioned an Instagram Stories pic of Dane as Mark Sloan.
