Tributes Pour In After Actor Eric Dane Dies at 53

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Actor Eric Dane, famous for his roles in shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, passed away on Thursday at the age of 53 after fighting ALS. According to a statement from his representatives, he was surrounded by loved ones – his wife and daughters, Billie and Georgia – who meant everything to him, during his final days.

Last year, Dane shared that he has ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This rare disease attacks the nerves that control muscles, causing a rapid loss of muscle function. According to the ALS Association, it affects around 350,000 people worldwide and eventually makes it impossible to walk, speak, eat, or even breathe. Currently, there is no cure, and most people live only two to five years after being diagnosed.

After being diagnosed, the actor became a passionate advocate for ALS research, working with various organizations to raise money for a cure. His efforts were recognized when he was named to the 2026 TIME100 Health list.

Eric bravely faced ALS and dedicated himself to raising awareness and finding a cure, hoping to help others battling the disease. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by everyone who knew him. He was incredibly thankful for the love and support he received from his fans. The family asks for privacy as they grieve this difficult loss.

Following his diagnosis announcement, Dane expressed gratitude that he was still able to work, including returning for another season of the HBO series Euphoria. The third season, which is expected to be the final one, is set to premiere on April 12th.

In a recent interview with TIME, before he died, Dane shared that he was focused on improving his own well-being, and hoped his efforts would also help others facing similar struggles. He felt content knowing his actions could make a positive difference for himself and many more people.

Dane’s rise to stardom

Born in November 1972 in San Francisco to parents in creative fields – his father was an architect and interior designer, and his mother a homemaker – Dane showed early promise as an athlete in high school. However, it was his involvement in a school production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons that sparked his passion for acting.

Dane started his acting career with appearances on popular TV shows like Saved by the Bell in 1991 and The Wonder Years in 1993. After moving to Los Angeles in ’93, he continued to land guest roles on shows including Roseanne, Married… with Children, and Silk Stalkings.

Dane’s attractive appearance helped him secure roles in several television shows. He appeared as a doctor on ABC’s Gideon’s Crossing and played a San Francisco newspaper owner on the WB’s Charmed, where his character developed a romantic connection with Alyssa Milano’s character.

Alyssa Milano shared a heartfelt tribute to Eric Dane on Instagram, remembering him as a wonderful person, a devoted husband to Rebecca Gayheart (whom he married in 2004), and a loving father to their children. She described his quick wit and playful sense of humor, noting he loved to surprise people. Milano also highlighted the tenderness he showed towards his family, explaining that his love for Rebecca and their daughters was evident in everything he did – even in the gentle change in his voice when he spoke their names. She described them as a beautifully close-knit family.

John Stamos shared photos on Instagram remembering Eric Dane, his co-star from the 2006 TV movie Wedding Wars. Stamos wrote a heartfelt message saying he and Dane played brothers in the film and that he was a genuinely good person. He expressed his sadness at the news, saying it was too soon, and signed it with ‘Xo J’.

Dane wasn’t just on television. He also appeared in films, playing a mutant in X-Men: The Last Stand in 2006 and a colleague of Owen Wilson’s character in Marley & Me in 2008.

Charming through Shondaland

Shonda Rhimes’ hit medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy, made Jesse Williams a star. He played the charming plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately known as “McSteamy.” Williams joined the show as a guest in its second season in 2006 and became a main cast member for six seasons, until his character’s heartbreaking death in 2012.

Dane recently shared on Dax Shepard’s podcast that he believes he was fired from the show, rather than leaving on his own. While Shepard brought up Dane’s past struggles with painkiller addiction – he entered rehab in 2011 – Dane clarified that wasn’t the reason, though it likely didn’t improve the situation.

However, his character made a quick appearance in season 17 of the show in 2021, appearing as part of a dream experienced by the main character, Meredith Grey.

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

Kim Raver, who played Dr. Teddy Altman, shared on Instagram that Eric was a truly radiant person. She remembered his warmth both on the set of Grey’s Anatomy and when he was with his family – his wife, Rebecca, and their daughters. She described how he’d often get a playful glint in his eye and deliver a perfectly timed, hilarious line, leaving everyone amazed. He will be deeply missed.

Kevin McKidd, known for his role as Dr. Owen Hunt, shared a photo on Instagram of his former co-star, Dane, with a message saying, “Rest In Peace Buddy…” Sarah Drew, who played Dr. April Kepner, also posted the same photo, simply writing, “Rest in peace.”

I was so incredibly saddened to hear about Eric Dane’s passing. As a huge fan of Grey’s Anatomy, I always thought he was amazing to watch – he really brought something special to the show. It wasn’t just his talent, though; I was so moved by his bravery and how he handled his battle with ALS. My heart goes out to his family, friends, everyone who worked with him, and all of us fans who loved 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, Eric Dane starred as Admiral Tom Chandler in the action-packed series The Last Ship, produced by Michael Bay. Following his passing, his co-star Travis Van Winkle shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying he learned a lot from Eric and remembering him as a wonderful person. Van Winkle expressed his sadness and sent condolences to Eric’s family, fondly recalling their time together.

In 2019, Dane joined the cast of the HBO teen drama Euphoria, which stars Zendaya. He played Cal Jacobs, the secretively troubled and often aggressive father of Nate Jacobs, who was played by Jacob Elordi.

Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria, expressed his sadness over the loss, telling Variety that working with the actor was an honor and being his friend was a true gift. HBO and Euphoria’s social media accounts also shared a statement, noting they were deeply saddened by the news and fortunate to have collaborated with him on three seasons of the show.

Nina Dobrev, a co-star of Dane in the 2022 movie Redeeming Love, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. She remembered him as warm, kind, and dedicated to his work, always making people feel valued on set. Dobrev also acknowledged the devastating nature of ALS, hoping his memory will encourage more support for research and a cure. She said he will be greatly missed.

I was so saddened to hear about Dane. Paul Walter Hauser, who I really enjoyed working with alongside Dane in Americana, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. He talked about how they tried to find work, find humor even when things were tough, and stay sober. He said he was grateful for the chance to act with Dane in Americana, that he loved him, and wished they’d had more time together. He ended with a beautiful message about peace and seeing him again. It’s just so heartbreaking. 🫡 Rest in peace.

Dane was also in the 2024 action movie Bad Boys: Ride or Die, alongside Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, who returned as the main characters. Lawrence shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, describing Dane as a genuine person, a dedicated professional, and someone who always brought a strong presence to the set.

One of Dane’s last acting roles was as a firefighter battling ALS in an episode of the NBC drama Brilliant Minds, which aired in November 2025. Michael Grassi, the show’s creator, shared that working with Dane, a beloved TV star for many years, was a career highlight. He described Dane as not only incredibly talented, but also kind, generous, and courageous, and expressed his sympathy to Dane’s family and friends.

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2026-02-20 14:07