Actor Eric Dane, best known for his memorable roles in the hit television dramas Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at the age of 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Dane passed away Thursday, less than a year after publicly revealing his ALS diagnosis. In a statement, his representatives shared that he spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom he cherished deeply. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Throughout his fight with ALS, Dane emerged as a vocal advocate for awareness and research. Determined to help others facing the disease, he used his platform to speak openly about the challenges of living with the progressive condition, which affects nerve cells responsible for muscle control and typically shortens life expectancy to three to five years after diagnosis.
Born on November 9, 1972, and raised in California, Dane faced early tragedy when his father died in a gun accident while he was just seven years old. After finishing high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. He began landing guest roles in popular television shows such as Saved by the Bell, Married… with Children, and Charmed, along with a role in the film X-Men: The Last Stand. He also appeared in the short-lived medical series Gideon’s Crossing.
His breakthrough came in 2006 when he joined Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately nicknamed “McSteamy.” The charismatic plastic surgeon quickly became a fan favorite, and Dane portrayed the character until 2012, later returning for a guest appearance in 2021.
In 2019, he showcased his versatility by taking on a dramatically different role as Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, HBO’s critically acclaimed and provocative drama. His portrayal of the complex and troubled character earned praise and introduced him to a new generation of viewers.
Dane also headlined the TNT series The Last Ship, playing Captain Tom Chandler, a naval officer navigating a global catastrophe. Production on the show was temporarily halted in 2017 while Dane sought treatment for depression, a struggle he later spoke about candidly.
In April 2025, Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis. Two months later, he addressed a Washington news conference on health insurance reform, stating, “Some of you may know me from TV shows such as ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ where I play a doctor. But I am here today to speak briefly as a patient battling ALS.” His advocacy efforts earned him recognition, including the Advocate of the Year award from the ALS Network in September 2025.
Before his passing, Dane completed a memoir titled Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, scheduled for release in 2026 through The Open Field, an imprint of Penguin Random House. In the book, he reflects on pivotal moments in his life—from his early acting days to fatherhood and confronting his ALS diagnosis.
“I want to capture the moments that shaped me—the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted—so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart,” Dane said in a statement announcing the memoir.
Eric Dane leaves behind a lasting legacy as a talented performer, devoted father, and passionate advocate whose courage resonated far beyond the screen.
