Eric Dane, Beloved ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star, Dies at 53 After Brave Battle with ALS
Hollywood and fans around the world are mourning the loss of Eric Dane, the beloved actor known for his iconic role as Dr. Mark Sloan, “McSteamy,” on Grey’s Anatomy. Dane passed away on Thursday, February 19, at the age of 53 after a courageous fight with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
In a heartfelt statement, Dane’s family shared:
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. 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. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.”
Eric Dane. Credit: Getty Images, Youtube/news.com.au
Eric Dane’s Final Public Words
Eric Dane was open about the challenges of living with ALS. His last public appearance came in December 2025, during a virtual Giving Tuesday panel with I AM ALS and Synapticure. He spoke candidly about the emotional and physical toll of the disease.
“I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time. On any given day, nobody would blame me if I went upstairs, crawled under the sheets, and spent two weeks crying,” Dane admitted. “I was a little pleasantly surprised to find that wasn’t me.”
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 30:
Actor Eric Dane has been diagnosed with ALS, He is photographed at the St. Regis in Washington, DC on September 30, 2025.
(Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
At the time, he had just wrapped filming Brilliant Minds, portraying a patient living with ALS — a role that hit painfully close to home. Dane described the experience as “cathartic” and emphasized the importance of resilience, even in the face of such a devastating illness.
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