Eric Dane, actor from ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ dies at 53

Barely 10 months after being diagnosed with the devastating disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Eric Dane has died. The actor, famous for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, has passed away at the age of 53.

The charismatic Dr. Sloan from Grey’s Anatomy was the role that propelled Dane to fame. With nearly 50 appearances in film and television, he made his debut in Saved by the Bell in 1991. He later appeared in series such as Roseanne, Married… with Children, and The Wonder Years. But it was above all his participation in the medical drama from 2006 onward — nearly 140 episodes — competing in charm and good looks with Patrick Dempsey (who was McDreamy; Dane was McSteamy) that earned him the affection of the audience.

Dane joined the medical series in its second season. He was initially meant to have a temporary role, but the public’s enthusiastic response turned him into a recurring character. He often said to anyone who would listen that he adored the character — one that made him a household name (and a wealthy man), as well as a national and international sex symbol. He loved the role and felt there was a lot of himself in that sensual doctor. But he also insisted he didn’t want to play it for his entire career, because that would ultimately be the opposite of what it means to be an actor.

In the end, he left Grey’s Anatomy in 2012, at a time when, as he later explained, he was going through a difficult period of addiction and had become an expensive member of the cast. “I wasn’t the same guy they had hired,” he admitted on Dax Shepard’s podcast a couple of years ago, “so I had understood when I was let go, and Shonda [Rhimes, the show’s creator] was really great.”

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his loved ones said in a public statement. “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.”

Dane, who announced his illness last year, appeared in productions such as the X-Men saga and the series Euphoria, which is set to premiere at the end of April. He had been scheduled to take part in its filming. As he himself shared, the right side of his body had been paralyzed by the disease.

A California native born in San Francisco, he lost his father at a very young age — he died from a gunshot when Eric was just seven. In school, he focused on sports, playing water polo in high school. As he once recounted, the playing seasons were short, so some classmates convinced him to try theater, which he fell in love with. He later moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream.

Dane separated from actress and model Rebecca Gayheart in 2018 after 20 years of marriage. They had two daughters together: Billie Beatrice, 16, and Georgia Geraldine, 13. Although they had been separated for seven years, it wasn’t until February 2025 that she filed for divorce; however, just a month later she formally requested that the divorce be dismissed. Both signed the paperwork by mutual agreement.

His other TV work included Charmed (in about 10 episodes between 2003 and 2004), The Fixer, and the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice, where he appeared in a couple of episodes. His most recent projects were Kabul and Countdown. He was especially acclaimed for his role as Cal in Euphoria, where he portrayed the troubled father of Nate (played by Jacob Elordi).

In film, he appeared in Burlesque alongside Cher and Christina Aguilera, as well as in Valentine’s Day and Redeeming Love.

ALS is, for now, a disease with no cure. It is estimated that between two and three people per 100,000 are diagnosed each year, meaning it is relatively rare. In the United States, around 30,000 people live with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control, which notes that there is no official registry, only estimates. About 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS each year in the country.

Among its symptoms are the loss of nerve function in the brain, as well as in the spinal cord and the motor neurons of the limbs and chest, which ultimately leads to irreversible paralysis.

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