Tributes Pour In After Actor Eric Dane Dies at 53

Actor Eric Dane, known for his many roles including on TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, died Thursday at age 53 “following a courageous battle with ALS,” a statement from his representatives shared. “He 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.”

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Dane announced last year that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a rare but swiftly progressing neurodegenerative disease. It affects about 350,000 people globally, eroding a person’s motor neurons until they eventually lose control of their muscles, ending their ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe, according to the ALS Association. There is no cure, and people on average live between two and five years after diagnosis.

The actor threw himself into ALS advocacy post-diagnosis, partnering with organizations to secure funding for research into a cure for the disease. Dane was included in the 2026 TIME100 Health list, in recognition of his work. 

“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. 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 family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time,” the statement added.

After announcing his diagnosis, Dane said he felt “fortunate” to continue working, including reprising his role in the HBO show Euphoria, the third and likely last of which is scheduled for an April 12 premiere.

Speaking to TIME before his passing, Dane said: “I’m trying to save my life, and if my actions can move the needle forward for myself and countless others, I’m satisfied.”

Dane’s rise to stardom

Per an ABC profile, Dane, born in November 1972 to an architect and interior designer father and a homemaker mother, was raised in San Francisco. As a high schooler, Dane was described as “excelling as an athlete” when he joined a school production of Arthur Miller’s play All My Sons, which jumpstarted his love for acting.

In 1991, Dane appeared in an episode of teen sitcom Saved by the Bell. He moved to Los Angeles in 1993 and that year appeared on ABC comedy The Wonder Years. Since then, Dane snagged guest roles in other TV shows like Roseanne, Married… with Children, and Silk Stalkings.

His good looks landed him supporting and recurring roles in other shows. Dane played a doctor on the ABC medical drama Gideon’s Crossing, and he played a San Francisco newspaper owner who became a love interest of Alyssa Milano’s main character in the WB show Charmed. 

Milano posted a tribute to Dane on Instagram, praising him not just as a person but as a husband to his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, whom he married in 2004, and a father of their children. “I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective,” Milano wrote. “He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard. And when it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren’t present. You could see it in the way his voice changed when he said their names. A breathtakingly beautiful family.”

John Stamos, who appeared with Dane in the 2006 TV movie Wedding Wars, posted photos of them together on Instagram with the caption: “RIP, Buddy.  Me and @realericdane played brothers years ago in a beautiful movie called, Wedding Wars.  Good guy.  Too soon. Xo J”

Dane’s acting stints weren’t limited to the small screen. In 2006, he portrayed a mutant in X-Men: The Last Stand and a co-worker of Owen Wilson’s character in the 2008 movie Marley & Me.

Charming through Shondaland

But it was Shonda Rhimes’ long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy that catapulted Dane to stardom, where he portrayed the dashing plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Sloan, popularly nicknamed “McSteamy.” He entered the show’s second season in 2006 as a guest star, but became a series regular for six seasons until his character faced a tragic death in 2012.

In a 2024 podcast with Dax Shepard, Dane explained his departure from the show, suggesting it was for financial reasons. “I didn’t leave so much as I think I was let go,” before Shepard pointed to Dane’s painkiller addiction struggles at the height of the show’s popularity. (Dane entered rehab in 2011 to address the addiction.) “They didn’t let me go because of that, although it definitely didn’t help.”

But his character would appear briefly in the show’s 17th season in 2021 as part of a dream sequence by main character Meredith Grey. 

Some of his Grey’s Anatomy co-stars extended their condolences after Dane’s death.

“Eric was a light,” Kim Raver, who portrayed Dr. Teddy Altman in the show, posted on Instagram. “You’d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Grey’s as well as when he was with Rebecca and the girls. During filming he’d get this twinkle in his eye and with a mischievous look, he would deliver with perfect comedic timing, a line of dialogue that would floor you! You will be missed.”

Kevin McKidd, who portrays Dr. Owen Hunt, posted on Instagram a photo of Dane from his time on the show with the text, “Rest In Peace Buddy…” Actress Sarah Drew, who played Dr. April Kepner, posted the same photo with the text: “Rest in peace.”

ABC and 20th Television released a statement after Dane’s passing: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Eric Dane. His remarkable talent and unforgettable presence on Grey’s Anatomy left a lasting impact on audiences around the world, and his courage and grace during his battle with ALS inspired so many. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the many fans whose lives were touched by his work.”

Career after Grey’s

After turning in his fictional scrubs, Dane appeared in movies and on several other shows. 

From 2014 to 2018, he played Admiral Tom Chandler in Michael Bay’s dystopian thriller series The Last Ship. Travis Van Winkle, Dane’s co-star, posted a photo with him on Instagram Stories with the text: “I learned so much from Eric. He was a great man. I’m sad to see him go in this way. I’m sending love to his family. Thanks for the memories my friend.”

In 2019, Dane joined the Zendaya-led ensemble cast of HBO teen drama Euphoria, portraying Cal Jacobs, the closeted, violent father of Jacob Elordi’s character Nate Jacobs.

In a statement to Variety, Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson said he was “heartbroken” over the loss. “Working with him was an honor,” Levinson said. “Being his friend was a gift.” A statement shared on HBO and Euphoria’s Instagram accounts read: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Eric Dane’s passing. He was incredibly talented and HBO was fortunate to have worked with him on three seasons of Euphoria.”

Nina Dobrev, who starred with Dane in the 2022 film Redeeming Love, wrote a tribute to him on her Instagram Story: “He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did. He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen. ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease. May his memory inspire more research, awareness, and progress toward a cure. He will be deeply missed.”

Paul Walter Hauser, who co-starred in the 2023 crime thriller film Americana alongside Dane, posted on Instagram: “We tried to book gigs, we tried to laugh at the pain and we tried to stay sober. I’m glad we got to play together in Americana. I love you, man. I wish we had more time. Enjoy the arms of Father God. I’ll see you again. 🫡 RIP”

Dane also joined the cast of the 2024 action film sequel Bad Boys: Ride or Die, where franchise stars Martin Lawrence and Will Smith reprised their lead roles. Lawrence extended his condolences to Dane’s family in an Instagram post: “I can tell you firsthand — solid brotha, true professional, and brought that presence every single time. Much love!”

In one of his final roles before his passing, Dane took on a role close to his heart: a firefighter with ALS in a November 2025 episode of NBC drama Brilliant Minds. Michael Grassi, the series’ creator, said in a statement: “Eric was a TV icon who lit up our screens for decades and it was the greatest honor of my career to work with him. Not only was he a tremendous talent, he was also generous, kind and brave. I’m thinking about his family and loved ones today.”