Eric Dane, the acclaimed actor renowned for his roles in Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, passed away on Thursday at the age of 53. His representatives confirmed that he succumbed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, less than a year after announcing his diagnosis.
During this challenging time, Dane was surrounded by close friends, his devoted wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the focal point of his life. A statement from his family expressed gratitude for the support received and requested privacy. Throughout his ALS journey, Dane became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, showcasing a determination to make a difference for others facing similar battles.
Dane's career gained momentum in the mid-2000s when he was cast as Dr. Mark Sloan, colloquially known as "McSteamy," on ABC's medical drama Grey's Anatomy. His character, a fan favorite, was featured from 2006 until 2012, with a return in 2021. Although his character met a tragic end in a plane crash, the impact he left on the series was lasting; the hospital’s name changed from Seattle Grace Hospital to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
In 2019, Dane transitioned from the charming persona of McSteamy to playing the troubled Cal Jacobs in HBO's provocative series Euphoria, a role he maintained until his death. Furthermore, he played Tom Chandler, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer in the TNT drama The Last Ship, a project that faced production delays in 2017 due to Dane's struggles with depression.
In April 2025, Dane publicly shared his ALS diagnosis, a progressive illness that affects nerve cells responsible for muscle control. The disease often leads to significant challenges in walking, talking, and breathing, with most patients having a life expectancy of only three to five years post-diagnosis. As an advocate for ALS awareness, Dane participated in a news conference in Washington to speak on health insurance issues, emphasizing his role as a patient battling the disease. His efforts were recognized when the ALS Network named him their advocate of the year in September 2025.
Born on November 9, 1972, and raised in Northern California, Dane faced personal tragedy early in life with the death of his father, a Navy veteran, when he was just seven years old. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, garnering guest roles in several television shows, including Saved by the Bell, Married... With Children, and Charmed, as well as a part in X-Men: The Last Stand and a season of the short-lived medical drama Gideon’s Crossing.
A memoir by Dane titled Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments is set to be published in late 2026. The book, under Maria Shriver's The Open Field imprint at Penguin Random House, will chronicle significant moments from his life, including his experience on Grey's Anatomy, becoming a father, and his battle with ALS. In his own words, Dane expressed a desire to convey the importance of living with heart and hopes his story will resonate and inspire others.
Dane is survived by his wife, actor Rebecca Gayheart, and their two teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine. The couple married in 2004 and separated in September 2017, with Gayheart filing for divorce in 2018 but later dismissing the petition. In a December essay reflecting on Dane's diagnosis, Gayheart characterized their relationship as complex yet filled with familial love. She expressed her unwavering commitment to support Dane through his journey, reinforcing their bond despite the circumstances.
