Eric Dane, the American actor widely recognised for his roles in Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at the age of 53, less than a year after going public with his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. His family confirmed that he passed away on Thursday afternoon following what they described as a brave fight with the illness.
Dane was known to millions of viewers for playing Dr Mark Sloan, fondly nicknamed “Dr McSteamy”, on Grey’s Anatomy. In recent years, he portrayed Cal Jacobs, the complex family patriarch on the HBO drama Euphoria, a role that introduced him to a new generation of fans.
The California-born actor revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with ALS, the most common form of motor neurone disease. In the months that followed, he used his voice to raise awareness about the condition and its impact.
"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," reads a statement from his family.
He was married to actress and model Rebecca Gayheart, and the couple had two children together. The family said he spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his devoted wife and their daughters, Billie and Georgia.
"He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he's received," the statement said, adding that his daughters “who were the center of his world”.
Beyond Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, Dane built a long television and film career. He played Jason Dean in the fantasy drama Charmed and starred as Captain Tom Chandler in the action series The Last Ship. His film credits included Marley & Me, Valentine's Day and Burlesque.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare condition that gradually damages the nerve cells in the brain and spine that control muscle movement. As the disease progresses, patients lose the ability to speak, eat, walk and eventually breathe on their own.
Last summer, Dane spoke openly about his diagnosis during an interview on Good Morning America. He admitted the news left him struggling with anger.
"Because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young," he told the programme.
"And now, you know, there's a very good chance I'm going to be taken from my girls while they're very young".
Dane’s father died by suicide when he was seven years old, a loss he had spoken about in the past as a defining moment in his life.
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane began his acting career in the early 1990s. He made his television debut in 1993 on The Wonder Years, marking the start of a career that would span more than three decades.
From hospital corridors to intense family dramas, Dane left a mark across television and film. His family said he faced his illness with courage and remained grateful for the support he received from fans around the world.
