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The entertainment world was met with a wave of sorrow as news broke of the passing of actor Eric Dane, coincidentally on the 20th anniversary of his memorable debut on the iconic television series, Grey’s Anatomy.
On Thursday, February 19, Dane’s family shared a heartfelt statement confirming that the beloved actor had succumbed to his battle with ALS. They expressed how he spent his final moments enveloped in the love of his closest friends, his cherished wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the light of his life.
That same day marked two decades since Dane first graced the screen as Dr. Mark Sloan in the ABC hit show, Grey’s Anatomy. His introduction in the 18th episode of season 2, aptly titled “Yesterday,” aired on February 19, 2006, and instantly catapulted him into the hearts of viewers. The episode’s synopsis captured the intrigue: “Mark Sloan (McSteamy) arrives at Seattle Grace, forcing Derek and Addison to confront their past.”
In the entertainment industry, the intertwining of personal health struggles with on-screen roles is not uncommon. A notable example is Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who publicly revealed in 2016 her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 20. MS is a debilitating autoimmune condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Her battle with the illness informed her acting journey, just as Dane’s fight with ALS did in his later years.
There’s been several instances when a star’s real-life health issues contributed to their fictional counterpart. Jamie-Lynn Sigler announced in 2016 that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) when she was 20 years old. MS is an autoimmune disease that damages the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. In January 2026, Sigler played […]
Dane returned one season later in a larger role and remained on the show until 2012. His character ultimately died from injuries sustained in a plane crash.
“I think I was let go,” Dane said on an episode of the “Armchair Expert” in 2024 while reflecting on his exit from the series.
Dane also opened up about battling addiction issues after entering a treatment center in 2011. He insisted that the show’s producers “didn’t let me go because of that.”
“Although it definitely didn’t help. I was starting to become — as most of these actors who have spent significant time on a show, you start to become very expensive for the network,” he explained. “And the network knows that the show is going to do what it’s going to do irrespective of who they keep on it. As long as they have their Grey, they’re fine.”
He concluded: “I wasn’t the same guy they had hired. So I understood when I was let go. And [executive producer] Shonda [Rhimes] was really great. She protected us fiercely. She protected us publicly. She protected us privately. … But I was probably fired. It wasn’t ceremoniously like, ‘You’re fired,’ it was just like, ‘You’re not coming back.’”
Dane ultimately got sober and continued to book roles in shows such as Euphoria and Countdown. He announced his battle with ALS in April 2025, shortly before production began on Euphoria’s third and final season.
Before his death, Dane was candid about his experience with the diagnosis, teaming up with organizations like I AM ALS to raise awareness. He was honored by I AM ALS in a heartfelt statement on Thursday.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of our friend Eric Dane — a fierce advocate, a generous spirit, and a true champion in the movement to end ALS. Eric used his platform not for attention, but for action,” their message noted. “From the moment he joined I AM ALS, he showed up with courage and conviction, asking how he could use his superpowers to help the movement grow. It was an honor to brainstorm with him, to walk alongside him in the halls of Congress on behalf of our community, amplify the urgent need for ACT for ALS and research funding, and drive toward treatments and, ultimately, a cure. He understood that ALS is not just a diagnosis; it is a call to action for families, for answers, and for change.”
Grey’s Anatomy fans have tuned in year after year to watch the cast deal with some of the most intense medical emergencies — and, in the process, have seen the show’s stars deal with their own health scares in real life. In January 2026, fans were reeling from the news that Steven W. Bailey had […]
The organization promised to continue Dane’s legacy.
“Eric brought humility, humor, and visibility to ALS and reminded the world that progress is possible when we refuse to remain silent,” their statement continued. “Eric was more than a supporter of our mission — he was part of our family. His impact will live on in the research being funded, the policies being advanced, and the community he helped grow by his honesty, his bravery, and his belief in a better future for anyone struggling with this diagnosis.”
The statement concluded: “We honor Eric by continuing the work he believed in so deeply: mobilizing communities, driving critical research, securing essential funding, and fighting relentlessly for real solutions. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and our entire community. I AM ALS will carry his legacy forward — until ALS is no more.”