Eric Dane, best known for his roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” died Feb. 19 after a hard-fought battle with ALS at 53 years old.
Before his breakout role as Dr. Mark Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy” in 2006, he appeared in popular shows such as “Saved by the Bell,” “The Wonder Years,” “Charmed” and “Roseanne.”
Coincidentally, Dane passed away on the 20th anniversary of his first appearance as Sloan, lovingly nicknamed “McSteamy.” Originally booked for only one episode of season two, Dane quickly stole fans’ hearts and was brought on as a regular.
Dane’s performance as McSteamy was more than just eye candy; he brought charisma, depth and quick wit to the character, making him one of the most beloved characters in the show’s history. He remained on the show until season eight, when his character died in a tragic plane accident.
On April 10, 2025, Dane bravely shared his ALS diagnosis in a PEOPLE exclusive. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that slowly causes the brain to lose connection with the muscles in the body.
The ALS Association defines the process of the disease as, “... a person’s brain loses connection with the muscles, slowly taking away their ability to walk, talk, eat and eventually breathe.” ALS currently has no cure, and due to its fast progression, life expectancy is just two to five years after diagnosis. The cause of ALS also remains widely unknown.
At the time of his diagnosis, Dane was about to start filming season three of “Euphoria,” where he played Cal Jacobs. Despite the physical effects of the disease, he remained optimistic, appeared at public events and interviews, and completed his filming for season three as Jacobs.
In December 2025, Dane made his final public appearance on a Giving Tuesday panel. He mainly discussed his role on the show “Brilliant Minds,” where he played a firefighter and 9/11 survivor, diagnosed with ALS, who was struggling to tell his wife of the diagnosis. Dane defined the role as “cathartic.”
In the panel, Dane said it was "imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can because I don't feel like my life is about me anymore."
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fast-progressing disease that causes gradual deterioration and death of motor neurons. While initial symptoms vary among patients, they can begin with muscle weakness in the hands, arms, legs or feet. As the disease progresses, it can lead to complications with breathing, speaking, eating and even cause dementia in some patients, according to Mayo Clinic.
Dane’s ability to not only navigate ALS but also speak publicly about it is a true show of his resilience and bravery. He became a passionate public advocate for the disease and undoubtedly gave hope to people globally who have been affected by it in their own personal lives. In September 2025, Dane received the Advocate of the Year award from the ALS Network. He continued to remain wildly optimistic during his final months.
"I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day, I don't think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets and spent the next two weeks crying," Dane said during the Giving Tuesday panel in December. "And I was a little bit pleasantly surprised when I realized that I wasn't built like that, because I thought for sure that was gonna be me."
Dane is survived by his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart and his two daughters, Georgia and Billie.
The day after his death, Netflix released the pre-recorded special, “Famous Last Words: Eric Dane.” In the interview, Dane left heartfelt messages and life advice to his daughters.
"Live now, right now, in the present," Dane said. "It's hard, but I learned to do that. For years, I would wander off mentally, lost in my head for long chunks of time, wallowing in worry and self-pity, shame and doubt. I replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. No more. Out of pure survival, I am forced to stay in the present, but I don't want to be anywhere else. The past contains regrets. The future remains unknown. So you have to live now. The present is all you have. Treasure it. Cherish every moment."
Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS. In those same 90 minutes, someone dies from ALS. The fatal disease robs patients of their bodies and brains.
Dane is one of many to die from ALS, yet he remained grateful and joyous in his final days.
