The Gray’s Anatomy solid and crew are mourning the lack of their costar Eric Dane following his loss of life at age 53.
The actor’s household confirmed on Thursday, February 19, that Dane died following a battle with ALS.
“He spent his closing days surrounded by expensive buddies, his devoted spouse and his two stunning daughters, Billie and Georgia, who have been the middle of his world,” the assertion learn. “All through his journey with ALS, Eric turned a passionate advocate for consciousness and analysis, decided to make a distinction for others going through the identical battle. He might be deeply missed and lovingly remembered at all times.”
The assertion concluded: “Eric adored his followers and is endlessly grateful for the outpouring of affection and assist he’s obtained. The household has requested for privateness as they navigate this unattainable time.”
Earlier than his loss of life, Dane turned a family title after enjoying Dr. Mark Sloan on ABC’s hit medical drama. The actor appeared on the present from 2006 to 2012 earlier than returning for a shock look in 2021.
Dane later starred on HBO’s Euphoriaduring which he performed Jacob Elord‘s onscreen father. He confirmed his ALS analysis shortly earlier than filming started on season 3. (He additionally starred on Countdown and made a visitor look on Good Minds whereas battling the illness.)
“I’ve been identified with ALS,” he mentioned in an April 2025 assertion. “I’m grateful to have my loving household by my aspect as we navigate this subsequent chapter. I really feel lucky that I’m able to proceed working and am wanting ahead to returning to set of Euphoria subsequent week. I kindly ask that you simply give my household and I privateness throughout this time.”
Extra just lately, Dane mentioned he felt “indignant” about coping with the situation. “Very. I’m indignant as a result of my father was taken from me after I was younger. And now there’s an excellent likelihood that I’ll be taken from my ladies after they’re very younger,” he defined on Good Morning America in June 2025, referring to his daughters with Rebecca Gayheart. “I imply, I actually, on the finish of the day, all I need is to only spend time with my household and work a bit bit if I can.”
Dane credited his neurologist for giving him hope about slowing the development of the illness.
“I might have thought I might have been the cover underneath the sheets sort of particular person, however that’s not been the case,” Dane informed Further about Dr. Advantage Cudkowicz in July 2025. “My angle and spirit has been fairly buoyant. I’m simply sort of using it. Not on daily basis has been nice, however the web is, I’ve a fairly good life.”
Preserve scrolling for the Gray’s Anatomy solid and crew’s heartfelt tributes to their late costar:
Patrick Dempsey
“I simply awakened this morning and it was very unhappy to learn the information. It’s arduous to place into phrases. I really feel actually so unhappy for his youngsters,” Dempsey, 60, mentioned on The Chris Evans Breakfast Present on Virgin Radio U.Ok. on Friday, February 20. “I used to be corresponding with him, we have been texting, so I spoke to him a few week in the past, and a few buddies of ours went in to see him and he was actually beginning to lose his skill to talk. He was bedridden and it was very arduous for him to swallow, so the standard of his life was deteriorating so quickly.”
“He was the funniest man — he was such a pleasure to work with, and I wish to simply bear in mind him in that spirit, as a result of any time he was on set, he introduced a lot enjoyable to it,” he added. “He had an awesome humorousness. He was straightforward to work with. We bought alongside immediately. First scene was him, you realize, in all his glory, popping out of the toilet with the towel on, wanting wonderful, making you’re feeling fully out of form and insignificant.”
Kevin McKidd
Kevin McKiddwho has portrayed Dr. Owen Hunt on the medical drama since 2008, shared a photograph of Eric Dane in character as McSteamy by way of his Instagram Tales, writing, “Relaxation in peace buddy.”
Sarah Drew
Echoing the sentiment, Sarah Drewwho performed Dr. April Kepner from 2009 to 2022, reshared the identical picture of Eric Dane that Kevin McKidd posted.
Captioning the Instagram Tales put upDrew wrote, “Relaxation in peace,” and added three crying emojis.
Krista Vernoff
Former Gray’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff shared a textual content trade with Eric Dane accompanied by a touching caption.
The messages have been despatched when Vernoff requested Dane to return to his well-known position as Mark “McSteamy” Sloan for a dream sequence in Gray’s season 17 alongside love curiosity Lexie Gray (Chyler Leigh). Fan favorites Lexie and McSteamy had been killed off in earlier seasons.
Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart had been candid about their relationship ups and downs through the years earlier than his loss of life. The pair tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2004 and welcomed their first little one, daughter Billie, in March 2010. Billie turned a giant sister the next 12 months when the pair’s second daughter, Georgia, was born. (…)
“I referred to as Eric and he answered instantly,” Vernoff mirrored within the caption. “I mentioned, ‘Will you come again? I do know it’s a pandemic and capturing is a nightmare however we’re gonna do it on the seaside and maintain our social distance as a result of the world wants pleasure and Mark and Lexie are pleasure.’ He mentioned the place and when. Once I got here to set that day, he mentioned, we’re breaking the foundations and hugging now proper?”
She continued, “The factor I’ll bear in mind most about Eric Dane are his hugs. The perfect hugs. Oh my buddy. I want you peace.”
Kim Raver
“Eric was a light-weight. You’d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Gray’s in addition to when he was with Rebecca and the women,” Kim Raver shared by way of Instagram. “Throughout filming he’d get this twinkle in his eye and with a mischievous look, he would ship with good comedic timing, a line of dialogue that may flooring you! You may be missed 🤍.”
“My love and ideas exit to Rebecca and their ladies. We love you,” Raver added.
James Pickens Jr.
“Relaxation in peace 🙏,” James Pickens Jr.who performs Richard Webber, captioned an Instagram Tales pic of Dane as Mark Sloan.
Shonda Rhimes
“Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Gray’s Anatomy households,” creator Shonda Rhimes mentioned in a press release.”He was really a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the collection and on audiences around the globe.”
She continued: “We’re grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship and humanity he shared with us for therefore a few years. Our hearts are along with his household, family members, and all who have been touched by his work.”
Camilla Luddington
Camilla Luddington, who joined Gray’s Anatomy in season 9 after Eric Dane’s exit, penned her personal tribute after his loss of life.
“I’ll not have had the change to work with Eric Dane, however I stroll the halls along with his character’s title on them each week,” she wrote by way of her Instagram Tales. “Eric’s impression on our present and its fan is irrefutable. An unforgettable expertise who won’t ever be forgotten. My coronary heart is along with his household. ALS wants extra funding, extra analysis and extra urgency. I’m sharing a hyperlink beneath to assist.”
Jessica Capshaw
Jessica Capshaw, who performed Dr. Arizona Robbins on the medical drama, shared an emotional tribute to her late costar.
“I’m so unhappy to listen to of Eric Dane’s passing. For 5 seasons, Arizona and Mark shared witty banter, arduous truths, large laughs (and cries), and a lot of their hearts with each other,” she wrote by way of Instagram alongside a photograph of their characters. “Beneath that assured appeal lived a singular softness and a fierce love for his folks that was uncommon and that solely Eric may have delivered to that character.”
Capshaw continued. “Eric additionally had that very same fierce and deep love for his household and my coronary heart is with them throughout this time. Might he relaxation in peace…🕊️.”
Debbie Allen
“Our beloved brother Eric Dane made his ascension into the Mild, leaving us with nice reminiscences of his highly effective presence on and off display,” Debbie Allen wrote by way of Instagram. “Adored by thousands and thousands of followers as McSteamy, we are going to at all times communicate his title with true pleasure, braveness, and love. RIP, my brother. 🥲🥲❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻.”
Kate Walsh
Kate Walsh, who performed Dr. Addison Montgomery, a love curiosity of Eric Dane’s Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, mirrored on her reminiscences filming alongside the late actor.
“I actually bear in mind my very first scene with Eric…an elevator scene at Seattle Greys So, so way back. I consider it was his first scene on the present too and he was nervous. He was so good-looking and I believed ‘however can this man act?’ and naturally he may, and did, and the remainder is historical past,” Walsh wrote by way of an Instagram tribute.
She continued, “One of many issues I liked about Eric was his sensitivity and vulnerability, (and intelligence, in fact) however he had the gravitas & outdated soul that made his work magnetic and made him an awesome buddy off set. In these early days of Gray’sas with most community television exhibits, we spent extra time with one another than with anybody else and so we turned a household of types and Eric was such a supply of assist and love.”