Share and Follow
Nearly a year after revealing he had ALS, Eric Dane has passed away.
WASHINGTON — Renowned for his performances in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” actor Eric Dane succumbed to ALS less than a year after sharing his diagnosis. He was 53.
Dane’s representatives confirmed that he passed on Thursday due to complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“In his final days, Eric was surrounded by close friends, his loving wife, and his cherished daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom he adored,” the representatives expressed in a statement, also urging for privacy for the grieving family. “During his battle with ALS, Eric became a fervent advocate for awareness and research, striving to make a lasting impact for others facing similar challenges. His presence will be greatly missed, and he will be fondly remembered. Eric held a deep affection for his fans and was always grateful for the immense support and love he received.”
Dane’s memorable roles included the charming Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy,” the complex Cal Jacobs in “Euphoria,” and the leading character in Max’s “The Last Ship.”
He was diagnosed with ALS in April 2025. He told People at the time, “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Dane was born Nov. 9, 1972, and raised in California. His father, a Navy man, died of a gunshot wound when he was 7. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles to purse acting, landing guest roles on shows like “Saved by the Bell,” “Married… With Children,” “Charmed” and “X-Men: the Last Stand,” and one season of the short-lived medical drama “Gideon’s Crossing.”
His big break arrived in the mid-2000s, when he was cast as Sloan on the ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” a role he would play from 2006 until 2012 and reprise in 2021. In 2019, he did a complete 180 and became Cal Jacobs, a troubled married man, in HBO’s provocative drama, “Euphoria,” a role he continued in up until his death.
Dane also starred as Tom Chandler, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer at sea after a global catastrophe wiped out most of the world’s population, in the TNT drama “The Last Ship.” In 2017, production was halted as Dane battled depression.
Dane is survived by his wife, actor Rebecca Gayheart, and their two teen daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine. Gayheart and Dane wed in 2004 and separated in September 2017. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but later filed to dismiss the petition. In a December essay for New York magazine’s The Cut reflecting on Dane’s diagnosis, Gayheart called their dynamic “a very complicated relationship, one that’s confusing for people.” She said they never got a divorce, but dated other people and lived separately.
ALS is a disease with no cure that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. ALS causes loss of muscle control and gets worse with time. When voluntary muscle action is impacted, “people may lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe,” according to the ALS Association.
Its exact cause is still not known and anyone at any age can be diagnosed with ALS.
Other notable people who have been diagnosed with ALS include Stephen Hawking, American professional baseball player Lou Gehrig, American football player Eric Stevens, musician Roberta Cleopatra Flack and more.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.