Alexandra Billings, a transgender actress and advocate, recently recalled a touching experience she had while working with Eric Dane on the TV show Grey’s Anatomy in 2006.
As a lifestyle expert, I was deeply touched by the recent tributes to Dane. I remember vividly when we filmed ‘Where the Boys Are’ for season three. I played Donna Gibson, and it was a really powerful experience portraying her journey – a trans woman facing a breast cancer diagnosis while transitioning. It was a role that stayed with me, and I’ll always cherish the time we spent working on that episode.
Billings remembered confiding in her “General Hospital” co-star, Dane DeHaan (who played Dr. Mark Sloan), about her personal journey transitioning in the 1980s. She described how her doctor had offered calm and reassuring support during challenging talks.
‘[The doctor] would let me know he saw me, no matter what we were talking about,’ she explained.
Touched by the story, Dane instinctively reached out and held Billings’ hand during their scene, wanting to show the same kindness Billings had talked about.
Billings learned later that her heartfelt speech wouldn’t make the final cut due to time constraints. That’s when Dane intervened.
I’ll never forget when Eric asked me, so softly, ‘What are the five most important things you get across in that monologue?’ I immediately started thinking, and I told him right away… one of those key things was definitely about my wife. It meant a lot to me that he asked, and I was glad I could share that with him.
Dane then suggested they improvise.
‘He said, “Say that and we’ll do a little improvisation,”‘ Billings continued.
She remembered Dane even asking the sound technician for their opinion, and they were completely on board. ‘That’s why it made it into the final episode,’ she explained.
The result, Billings said, was transformative.
She explained that it completely altered her perspective. She couldn’t understand why he had intervened, as it wasn’t something that concerned him personally. She added that in the fast-paced world of television, time is a valuable resource.
With visible emotion, Billings described Dane as one of the most kind and understanding people she’d ever known, noting that colleagues like him were a true rarity in her professional life.
You know, working with Eric Dane was a real lesson in what true allyship looks like. It wasn’t just empty words with him – he genuinely showed up. What really struck me is that he was there, supportive, even when it could have been difficult or risky for him personally. That’s the mark of a true ally – being present even when it’s tough.
She concluded the tribute with words she said she never had the chance to tell him directly.
‘Thank you, Eric. Thank you. From all of us.’
Billings shared the video with a heartfelt message, signing it as her character, Donna. She also mentioned the episode later received a GLAAD Award for outstanding writing, which she felt was a very meaningful achievement.
One fan left a comment under the post saying, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that! This is a great story. I really enjoyed his work on Grey’s Anatomy.’
Someone playfully responded, ‘I’m not crying, you are!’ They also expressed gratitude for the heartwarming story and fondly recalled a fantastic performance in a particular episode.
Someone else exclaimed, “Wow! I remember that episode! Thanks for sharing this beautiful but sad story.”
I was so incredibly saddened to hear about Eric Dane’s passing. He was only 53. His family shared the news with People magazine, and it’s especially heartbreaking because he’d just gone public with his battle against ALS less than a year ago. It feels so unfair and I’m sending all my condolences to his loved ones.
He passed away on the 20th anniversary of his debut on Grey’s Anatomy, which first aired on February 19, 2006.
Following the news, tributes poured in from across the Grey’s Anatomy family.
Kate Walsh posted old photos and a heartfelt message recalling Dane’s kind and sensitive nature, as well as the strong connection the cast shared when the show first began.
Kevin McKidd and Sarah Drew, along with other colleagues, also posted short, touching tributes to the actor after his passing.
20th Television released a statement to Deadline, celebrating Dane’s exceptional skills and highlighting how his bravery while fighting ALS motivated countless people.
Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy, also fondly remembered him as a cherished part of the Shondaland family, noting that his performance as Dr. Sloan had a lasting impact on the show.
A special on-air tribute to Dane is set to air in an upcoming episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
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2026-02-22 22:49