Eric Dane, Dr. McSteamy of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Euphoria’ star, dies of ALS at 53

by

Eric Dane, the actor famous for playing Dr. Mark Sloan—affectionately known as “McSteamy”—on “Grey’s Anatomy,” has passed away after bravely fighting ALS.

Actor Dane, known for roles in shows like “Saved by the Bell” and “Euphoria”, passed away on Thursday at the age of 53, according to his representative.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eric Dane on Thursday after a brave fight with ALS. He was surrounded by his wife, close friends, and his daughters, Billie and Georgia, who meant everything to him. Throughout his illness, Eric dedicated himself to raising awareness and finding a cure for ALS, hoping to help others. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. Eric was grateful for the love and support of his fans. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.

I was so saddened to hear about Dane’s ALS diagnosis, which he bravely shared with the world back in April 2025. Knowing he was a former athlete – a swimmer and water polo player – it was especially heartbreaking to learn the disease first affected his right side. It was incredibly moving to see him then use his own battle with ALS to portray a firefighter facing the same struggles on television. He didn’t just live with it, he fought for others too, championing laws to help those living with this terrible disease. He truly turned his personal experience into something meaningful.

Entertainment & Arts

Eric Dane discussed the future of the ALS Access Act with Congressman Eric Swalwell, as the law is scheduled to end in 2026. The act helps speed up access to treatments for ALS.

As a huge “Grey’s Anatomy” fan, I remember when Eric Dane joined the cast as Mark Sloan. He instantly added to the show’s already overflowing charm and, let’s be honest, the romantic drama! He first showed up in Season 2, back in 2006, and made quite an entrance. Within minutes, he was getting punched by Derek Shepherd and playfully introducing himself to Meredith Grey as someone else involved with Derek’s messy breakup with Addison. It was a fantastic way to establish his character and set the stage for all the drama to come!

Eric Dane originally signed on for just one episode of the popular ABC medical drama, but became a fan favorite and stayed for over 130 episodes until 2012. Known to viewers as “McSteamy” due to his good looks, his character, Dr. Sloan, had on-screen relationships with several doctors, including Lexie Grey, Callie Torres, and Teddy Altman. Sadly, Sloan was killed off in the ninth season, following a tragic plane crash in the eighth season that also resulted in the death of Lexie Grey.

In 2021, Dane returned to “Grey’s Anatomy” for a cameo in Meredith’s COVID-19-induced dreams.

Before becoming famous on “Grey’s Anatomy,” Dane had smaller roles in shows like “Saved by the Bell,” “Roseanne,” “Gideon’s Crossing,” and “Charmed.” After his time on “Grey’s,” he appeared in the “Grey’s” spinoff “Private Practice,” starred in TNT’s “The Last Ship,” and played a mysterious real estate developer and father on HBO’s “Euphoria.”

Television

I couldn’t believe it when I found out our favorite medical drama on ABC hit a huge milestone this week! To celebrate, they’re sharing the stories of three people – cast and crew members – who’ve been with the show since day one. It’s amazing to think some folks have dedicated so much to this series!

After his time on “Grey’s Anatomy,” he went on to star in several films, such as “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Marley & Me,” and “Burlesque.” He also appeared in Garry Marshall’s “Valentine’s Day,” where he worked again with his former co-star, Dempsey.

Dane hadn’t intended to become an actor, but he discovered a passion for it when he unexpectedly got a part in his high school’s production of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” as he explained to the Gulf Times in 2014.

“I was like this is the greatest feeling ever,” he added.

Eric Dane was born in San Francisco on November 9, 1972. When he was seven years old, his father, who had served in the Navy and later became an architect, tragically died in a shooting. His mother then raised him and his sibling with help from her parents.

Entertainment & Arts

Actor Eric Dane is battling depression, and he’s taking time off to manage it.

Dane went to both Sequoia and San Mateo High Schools, but he left before graduating to focus on an acting career in Los Angeles.

During his twenties, Isaiah Washington frequently went to parties and first sought treatment for addiction at 26. While starring in “Grey’s Anatomy,” he developed a dependency on painkillers and other prescription drugs. He later shared that he experienced a relapse in 2007, during the time of the Writer’s Guild of America strike.

Looking back, my time on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – all eight years of it – was actually marked by more struggles with substance abuse than periods of sobriety. That’s really when things started to unravel for me. It eventually led to another trip to rehab in 2011, this time to deal with an addiction to prescription painkillers I’d been taking after a sports injury.

Dane DeHaan has been candid about his battle with depression, which became particularly difficult in 2017 while he was filming “The Last Ship.” He shared on “Today” that he was using medication to cope, describing the onset of the condition as sudden and overwhelming.

He explained that he needed to take a break to deal with something personal, but now he’s feeling much better.

Entertainment & Arts

Actor Eric Dane recently appeared on a red carpet with Janell Shirtcliff, holding her hand, for the first time since publicly sharing his diagnosis of ALS. Priya Jain expressed surprise at the appearance.

In 2004, Eric Dane married actress and model Rebecca Gayheart in a Las Vegas wedding immediately following his proposal. Their relationship faced public scandal in 2009 when a private video surfaced showing Dane and Gayheart, along with actress Kari Ann Peniche, in a compromising situation. At the time, the couple’s lawyer, Marty Singer, downplayed the incident.

The couple separated in 2017, and Gayheart began divorce proceedings in 2018, but they never officially divorced. Shortly before publicly announcing his ALS diagnosis in March 2025, she asked the court to drop the divorce case.

After publicly sharing his ALS diagnosis, Dane played a brave firefighter facing the same challenge in an episode of the NBC show “Brilliant Minds.” The episode aired in late November, and in a December article for New York magazine, Gayheart shared that Dane required around-the-clock nursing care, and she was often filling in for the nurses when they couldn’t work.

In an essay discussing her ex-husband’s diagnosis, Gayheart explained that they’ve lived separately for eight years and have both been in other relationships. She described their connection as complex and often misunderstood, clarifying that while it’s not romantic, it’s a deep, familial love. She and her ex-husband, Eric, share a mutual desire to support each other and always want what’s best for one another.

She explained that she wants to do everything she can to support him and make things smoother for him along the way. She also wants to set an example for her daughters, teaching them that supporting others is the right thing to do.

Dane is survived by daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, whom he shares with Gayheart.

Read More

2026-02-20 06:01