[ad_1]
Dane died nearly a year after announcing his ALS diagnosis.
WASHINGTON — Actor Eric Dane, known for his roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” has died less than a year after announcing his ALS diagnosis. He was 53 years old.
His representatives said Dane died Thursday from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known also as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” said a statement that requested privacy for his family. “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.”
Dane was known for his “Grey’s Anatomy” role as Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, the role of Cal Jacobs in “Euphoria” and the lead role in Max’s “The Last Ship.”
He was diagnosed with ALS in April 2025. He told People at the time, “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Dane was born on Nov. 9, 1972, and raised in California. His father, a Navy man, died of a gunshot wound when he was 7. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles to purse acting, landing guest roles on shows like “Saved by the Bell,” “Married … With Children,” “Charmed” and “X-Men: the Last Stand,” and one season of the short-lived medical drama “Gideon’s Crossing.”
His big break arrived in the mid-2000s, when he was cast as Dr. Mark Sloan, a.k.a. McSteamy, on the ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” a role he would play from 2006 until 2012 and reprise in 2021. In 2019, he did a complete 180 and became Cal Jacobs, a troubled married man, in HBO’s provocative drama, “Euphoria,” a role he continued in up until his death.
Dane also starred as Tom Chandler, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer at sea after a global catastrophe wiped out most of the world’s population, in the TNT drama “The Last Ship.” In 2017, production was halted as Dane battled depression.
Dane is survived by his wife, actor Rebecca Gayheart, and their two teen daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine. Gayheart and Dane wed in 2004 and separated in September 2017. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but later filed to dismiss the petition. In a December essay for New York magazine’s The Cut reflecting on Dane’s diagnosis, Gayheart called their dynamic “a very complicated relationship, one that’s confusing for people.” She said they never got a divorce, but dated other people and lived separately.
ALS is a disease with no cure that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. ALS causes loss of muscle control and gets worse with time. When voluntary muscle action is impacted, “people may lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe,” according to the ALS Association.
Its exact cause is still not known and anyone at any age can be diagnosed with ALS.
Other notable people who have been diagnosed with ALS include Stephen Hawking, American professional baseball player Lou Gehrig, American football player Eric Stevens, musician Roberta Cleopatra Flack and more.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[ad_2]