Eric Dane, an actor known worldwide for his roles in Grey's Anatomy et Euphoria, died at the age of 53.
Representatives for the star indicated that Eric Dane died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, less than a year after making his diagnosis public.
"Surrounded by those he loved"
“Eric Dane 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.”a statement said, requesting respect for the family's privacy.
"Throughout his battle with ALS, Eric Dane became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same challenge. Eric Dane will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Eric Dane adored his fans and will be eternally grateful for the immense outpouring of love and support he received."
The role that defined a generation
Eric Dane's career took off in the mid-2000s. He was chosen to play Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed "McSteamy," in the medical drama. Grey's AnatomyHe played this character from 2006 to 2012, before briefly reprising it in 2021.
Even after the character's death on screen following a plane crash, the imprint left by Eric Dane's role remained very much present: Seattle Grace Hospital became Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
A radical shift with Euphoria
In 2019, Eric Dane radically changed his image by playing Cal Jacobs, a dark and tormented character in the series EuphoriaHe continued in this role until his death, demonstrating a new facet of his acting.
Eric Dane also played the role of Tom Chandler, captain of a US Navy destroyer who survives a global catastrophe, in the series The Last ShipIn 2017, production was halted while Eric Dane was going through a severe depression.
His public fight against ALS
In April 2025, Eric Dane revealed that he had ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys nerve cells controlling the body's muscles.
ALS progressively leads to the loss of the ability to walk, speak, express oneself, and breathe. The majority of patients die within three to five years of diagnosis.
After announcing his illness, Eric Dane publicly committed himself to raising awareness of ALS. During a press conference in Washington on health insurance issues, Eric Dane stated in June 2025: "Some of you may know me from television series like Grey's Anatomy, in which Eric Dane plays a doctor. But Eric Dane is here today to speak as a patient battling ALS."
In September 2025, Eric Dane received the ALS Network's "Lawyer of the Year" award for his commitment to people living with the disease.
A childhood marked by tragedy
Eric Dane was born on November 9, 1972, and grew up in Northern California. Eric Dane's father, a U.S. Navy veteran and architect, was shot and killed when Eric Dane was only 7 years old.
After high school, Eric Dane moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, landing guest roles in several television series and appearing in the film X-Men: The Last Stand, as well as in the medical series Gideon's Crossing.
A book to leave a legacy, to be published in 2026
Eric Dane's memoirs are due to be published in late 2026 under the title Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments. The book retraces key moments in Eric Dane's life, from his arrival on Grey's Anatomy from the birth of her daughters until the announcement of her illness.
