Celebrities express grief over death of Eric Dane, pride in his ‘heroic’ battle against ALS

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The news of Eric Dane‘s passing on Thursday brought a wave of sadness from fellow celebrities. They remembered him for his charming and playful personality on television, as well as his work raising awareness while fighting ALS.

Eric Dane is famous for playing Dr. Mark Sloan—nicknamed ‘McSteamy’—on the TV show ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ He also recently appeared as Cal Jacobs, a mysterious father figure, in HBO’s ‘Euphoria.’ He passed away at age 53, just months after revealing he had been diagnosed with a disease that affects the nervous system.

Alyssa Milano, who acted alongside Dane in the show “Charmed,” posted a touching message on Instagram remembering him as playful, kind-hearted, and devoted to his daughters.

According to Milano, Eric had a remarkable quality – a mischievous glint in his eye just before he’d deliver a line that was either hilariously shocking or deeply thought-provoking. He was incredibly funny, with a real appreciation for the ridiculous side of life.

Entertainment & Arts

Eric Dane, the actor famous for playing Dr. Mark Sloan (‘McSteamy’) on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ has passed away at the age of 53 after fighting ALS.

HBO Max posted on Instagram, praising Dane’s skills and expressing gratitude for his work on three seasons of Euphoria. Sam Levinson, the show’s creator, told Variety he was deeply saddened by the loss of a close friend.

Levinson shared that it was a privilege to work alongside Eric, and he deeply valued their friendship. He expressed his sympathy to Eric’s family, saying they are keeping them in their thoughts and wishing his memory will be remembered fondly.

Krista Vernoff, who used to run the show “Grey’s Anatomy,” recently shared a heartwarming story on Instagram. She remembered when Patrick Dempsey returned to film a dream sequence in 2021, even though his character had died years earlier in Season 9. Despite strict pandemic protocols, he gave her a big hug, playfully ‘breaking the rules.’

Vernoff shared that she’ll always remember Eric Dane for his incredible hugs, describing them as the best. She ended with a heartfelt wish for his peace and well-being.

I was really excited to hear that Dane is finally putting out his memoir, “Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments.” It’s coming out through Maria Shriver’s publishing company, Open Field, later this year, and I’ve been following his work for a while now, so I’m definitely looking forward to reading it.

Shriver praised Dane for facing his illness with courage and for using his public voice to educate others about ALS.

In a statement posted on X, she shared that he wanted his family to know how much he loved them and to have a story they could feel proud of. She also expressed her sympathy to his family and to everyone affected by this difficult illness, including those who are caring for loved ones with it.

Entertainment & Arts

Eric Dane discussed the future of the ALS Access Act with Congressman Eric Swalwell, as the law providing faster access to treatments for ALS is scheduled to end in 2026.

I was really moved by Dane’s performance in 2025’s “Brilliant Minds.” He brought such authenticity to the role of a firefighter battling ALS, clearly drawing from his own experiences with the condition. But it wasn’t just acting; he truly used his platform to make a difference, actively campaigning for laws that would fund ALS research and get vital treatments to patients sooner. It was inspiring to see him turn a personal struggle into a powerful call for change.

He partnered with the I Am ALS organization to fund research for new treatments, as there is currently no cure for the disease.

The organization stated that Eric brought much-needed awareness, kindness, and a sense of humor to the fight against ALS, and showed everyone that real change happens when people speak up. They added that he wasn’t just a supporter of their work, but a cherished member of their team.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease that progressively harms the nerve cells responsible for muscle movement. Often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, it’s typically fatal within two to five years of being diagnosed.

Nina Dobrev, who starred alongside Dane in the movie “Redeeming Love,” shared on Instagram that she was deeply saddened by his passing.

She described him as a warm, generous, and enthusiastic person who truly loved his work. He was a kind leader and made everyone on set feel valued and respected.

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2026-02-20 14:35