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Eric Dane, the actor renowned for his portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately known as “McSteamy,” on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” has passed away at 53. His family confirmed the news to People on Thursday. Dane had publicly shared his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis last year.
In a heartfelt statement, Dane’s family expressed, “With heavy hearts, we announce Eric Dane’s passing on Thursday afternoon after a valiant fight with ALS. During his battle, Eric became a fervent advocate for ALS awareness and research, striving to make a meaningful impact for others enduring the same struggle. He will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered. Eric cherished his fans and was eternally grateful for their support and affection. We kindly request privacy as we cope with this challenging time.”
While Dane gained fame as one of the heartthrobs on the long-standing hospital drama, he enjoyed a diverse career in television and film.
Dane made his television debut in 1991 on the teen comedy “Saved by the Bell” and went on to appear in popular series like “The Wonder Years,” “Married… with Children,” and “Roseanne.” His most enduring role came on “Grey’s Anatomy,” where he starred from 2006 to 2012, appearing in approximately 139 episodes.
More recently, Dane was a main cast member on HBO’s drama “Euphoria,” from 2019 until now. Last year, he appeared in the Amazon Prime series “Countdown,” which ran for one season. His final television role is listed as a 2025 episode of NBC’s medical drama “Brilliant Minds,” where he portrayed a character with ALS.
Since news of his diagnosis with ALS, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, the actor has dedicated himself to ALS advocacy. In December, Dane joined the board of directors of Target ALS, a nonprofit which works to accelerate ALS research and awareness.
ALS is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal chord, according to Mayo Clinic. A degenerative disease, it causes increasing loss of muscle control. Toward the end of his battle, Dane was using a wheelchair to get around.
Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in a 2004 Las Vegas ceremony, and though the couple once filed for divorce, the two never officially divorced and were reconciled by the time of his death.
Per Dane’s family’s statement, the actor 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.”