Eric Dane died on the twentieth anniversary of his first look on Gray’s Anatomy.
Dane’s family members confirmed his dying in a press release on Thursday, February 19, following his battle with ALS, noting that the actor “spent his closing days surrounded by expensive pals, his devoted spouse, and his two stunning daughters, Billie and Georgia, who had been the middle of his world.”
The identical day additionally marked 20 years since he made his debut on ABC’s Gray’s Anatomy. Dane was launched within the position of Dr. Mark Sloan in season 2, episode 18 — titled “Yesterday” — which aired on February 19, 2006.
“Mark Sloan (McSteamy) arrives at Seattle Grace, forcing Derek and Addison to confront their previous,” learn the synopsis for the episode on the time.
There’s been a number of situations when a star’s real-life well being points contributed to their fictional counterpart. Jamie-Lynn Sigler introduced in 2016 that she was identified with a number of sclerosis (MS) when she was 20 years outdated. MS is an autoimmune illness that damages the nerve cells within the mind and spinal wire. In January 2026, Sigler performed (…)
Dane returned one season later in a bigger position and remained on the present till 2012. His character in the end died from accidents sustained in a airplane crash.
“I feel I used to be let go,” Dane mentioned on an episode of the “Armchair Professional” in 2024 whereas reflecting on his exit from the sequence.
Dane additionally opened up about battling dependancy points after coming into a therapy middle in 2011. He insisted that the present’s producers “didn’t let me go due to that.”
“Though it positively didn’t assist. I used to be beginning to turn into — as most of those actors who’ve spent important time on a present, you begin to turn into very costly for the community,” he defined. “And the community is aware of that the present goes to do what it’s going to do regardless of who they carry on it. So long as they’ve their Gray, they’re effective.”
He concluded: “I wasn’t the identical man that they had employed. So I understood once I was let go. And (government producer) Shonda (Rhimes) was actually nice. She protected us fiercely. She protected us publicly. She protected us privately. … However I used to be most likely fired. It wasn’t ceremoniously like, ‘You’re fired,’ it was similar to, ‘You’re not coming again.’”
Dane in the end bought sober and continued to e-book roles in exhibits akin to Euphoria and Countdown. He introduced his battle with ALS in April 2025, shortly earlier than manufacturing started on Euphoria’s third and closing season.
Earlier than his dying, Dane was candid about his expertise with the analysis, teaming up with organizations like I AM ALS to lift consciousness. He was honored by I AM ALS in a heartfelt assertion on Thursday.
“We’re heartbroken by the passing of our good friend Eric Dane — a fierce advocate, a beneficiant spirit, and a real champion within the motion to finish ALS. Eric used his platform not for consideration, however for motion,” their message famous. “From the second he joined I AM ALS, he confirmed up with braveness and conviction, asking how he might use his superpowers to assist the motion develop. It was an honor to brainstorm with him, to stroll alongside him within the halls of Congress on behalf of our neighborhood, amplify the pressing want for ACT for ALS and analysis funding, and drive towards therapies and, in the end, a remedy. He understood that ALS isn’t just a analysis; it’s a name to motion for households, for solutions, and for change.”
The group promised to proceed Dane’s legacy.
“Eric introduced humility, humor, and visibility to ALS and reminded the world that progress is feasible after we refuse to stay silent,” their assertion continued. “Eric was greater than a supporter of our mission — he was a part of our household. His influence will reside on within the analysis being funded, the insurance policies being superior, and the neighborhood he helped develop by his honesty, his bravery, and his perception in a greater future for anybody scuffling with this analysis.”
The assertion concluded: “We honor Eric by persevering with the work he believed in so deeply: mobilizing communities, driving vital analysis, securing important funding, and preventing relentlessly for actual options. Our ideas are along with his family members and our complete neighborhood. I AM ALS will carry his legacy ahead — till ALS is not any extra.”