Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria star Eric Dane has died at the age of 53. He was diagnosed with ALS last year. The star died on Thursday, his family says.
Eric Dane became a huge star as Dr. Mark Sloan, aka “McSteamy”, on the hit television show Grey’s Anatomy. Ten months ago, he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” reads a statement from Dane’s family. “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.”
“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. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Eric Dane dead at 53
Born in San Francisco on November 9, 1972, Dane had a troubled childhood. His father died from a gunshot wound when he was only seven years old. He told the Gult Fimes that it wasn’t until he himself became a parent that he understood how “devastating” he must have been as a child after the horrific accident.
Dane found acting accidentally. He played water polo in high school, and as the season was short, he ended up playing Joe Keller in All My Sons. He told the Gulf Times in 2014 that he “fell in love” with acting at that point
After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. Eric Dane landed roles on television series such as The Wonder Years, Saved by the Bell, Roseanna and Married…With Children. His first recurring role was in Gideon’s Crossing.
In 2009, Dane made his big-screen acting debut, starring in The Basket.
Grey’s Anatomy would change his life forever. He was cast as Mark Sloan in the show’s second season in 2006, which, at first, was supposed to be only a small role.
However, due to the fans’ overwhelming reaction, he became a part of the main cast. While his acting was good, many fans also found his character very attractive, and Dane became somewhat of a sex symbol. In 2012, he left the show as his character was killed off.
Star on Grey’s Anatomy
“It just kind of made sense,” he told Glamour in 2019 about leaning into the character’s sensual vibes in real life. “I felt like I had an artistic obligation to not shy away from that part of the character. And to a degree, there’s a lot of me in that guy. But I think at the end of the day, you tend to give people what they’re asking for, because it’s the path of least resistance.”
Dane would become a household name among younger audiences in 2019 after landing a role in the successful series Euphoria. In April last year, he was diagnosed with ALS. In a statement at the time, he said, “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
The former Grey’s Anatomy star has since been very outspoken about the disease, which he, in October, called “nasty.” He was set to appear at their reunion at the Emmy Awards, but sadly, Dane had to cancel after a bad fall that left him hospitalized.
“ALS is a nasty disease,” he said. “So I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head.”
Eric Dane revealed first ALS symptoms
Eric Dane has been outspoken about his diagnosis, and in June, while appearing on Good Morning America, he revealed the first symptoms he felt. In the beginning, however, he didn’t think much about it.
“I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand, and I didn’t really think anything of it at the time,” Eric Dane explained. “I thought maybe I had been texting too much or my hand was fatigued. But a few weeks later I noticed it had gotten a little worse, so I went and saw a hand specialist, and he sent me to another hand specialist.”
The actor continued, “I went and saw a neurologist and they sent me to another neurologist and said this is way above [his] pay grade.”
On Thursday, February 19, his family announced that he had passed away. Eric Dane is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14.
Rest in peace, Eric Dane. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric Dane and his family.