Eric Dane, the actor who became a household name as Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on ABC's long-running hit "Grey's Anatomy," has died at the age of 53 after a courageous and public battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dane passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, surrounded by his closest friends, his ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, according to statements released by his representatives and reported by USA TODAY and The Hollywood Reporter.
Dane’s journey in the public eye began in the early 1990s, when he landed small roles on television staples such as "Saved by the Bell," "The Wonder Years," and "Roseanne." His first recurring TV gig came in 2000, portraying Dr. Wyatt Cooper on the medical drama "Gideon’s Crossing." But it was his 2006 arrival on "Grey’s Anatomy" that catapulted him to stardom. Initially cast for just a single episode, Dane’s charismatic performance and undeniable screen presence—especially his now-famous towel-clad entrance—quickly made him a fan favorite. The show’s female interns dubbed his character "McSteamy," a moniker that stuck with Dane for the rest of his career.
Over the next six years, Dane appeared in 135 episodes of "Grey’s Anatomy," weaving his character into the fabric of the show’s most memorable storylines. His Mark Sloan was equal parts heartthrob and heartbreaker, known for complicated relationships with colleagues and a penchant for drama both inside and outside the operating room. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, Dane’s chemistry with co-stars like Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo, and Kate Walsh made for some of the series’ most iconic moments.
But Dane’s time on "Grey’s Anatomy" was not without personal challenges. He battled addiction to painkillers and prescription medications, struggles he later discussed candidly in interviews and on Dax Shepard’s "Armchair Expert" podcast. “If you take the whole eight years on Grey’s Anatomy, I was messed up longer than I was sober. And that’s when things started going sideways for me,” Dane reflected. He left the series in 2012, citing both personal reasons and budgetary constraints, though he returned for a poignant cameo in 2021, during a COVID-19-themed episode.
After "Grey’s Anatomy," Dane continued to build a diverse and impressive résumé. He starred as Captain Tom Chandler on TNT’s post-apocalyptic naval drama "The Last Ship" from 2014 to 2018, a role he described to On The Red Carpet as "ambitious" and fulfilling: “We’re just trying to make the Navy proud. It’s a big show. It’s ambitious, and I think we’re pulling it off. We love the Navy.” He also captivated audiences as Cal Jacobs, the complex and secretive father in HBO’s "Euphoria," where he played opposite Jacob Elordi during the show’s first two seasons.
Dane’s film career included roles in "X-Men: The Last Stand," where he played Jamie Madrox/Multiple Man, and "Marley & Me," alongside Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. In recent years, he appeared in "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" (2024), "Redeeming Love" (2022), and the crime thriller series "Countdown" (2025). His final television appearance was a touching turn as a firefighter with ALS in NBC’s "Brilliant Minds," a role that drew on his real-life experience with the disease.
The actor’s life off-screen was marked by both triumph and tragedy. Born Eric William Dane in San Francisco on November 9, 1972, he lost his father, William, to a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of seven. Raised by his mother, Leah, and his maternal grandparents, Dane found solace and purpose in acting—first on the water polo team and later in a high school production of Arthur Miller’s "All My Sons." He dropped out of San Mateo High School just before graduation to pursue his passion in Los Angeles, a leap that would eventually pay off in spades.
Dane married actress and model Rebecca Gayheart in 2004 after a whirlwind romance that saw them fly to Las Vegas for a spontaneous wedding. Their relationship weathered public scrutiny, including a much-publicized video scandal in 2009 and a separation in 2017. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but withdrew the petition in March 2025, just before Dane went public with his ALS diagnosis. In a poignant essay for New York Magazine, Gayheart described their bond as "a familial love," writing, "Our love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love. Eric knows that I am always going to want the best for him. That I’m going to do my best to do right by him. And I know he would do the same for me."
Dane announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, revealing that he had begun experiencing symptoms nearly a year and a half earlier. The disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare and devastating condition that gradually destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle function, speech, and ultimately, the ability to breathe. By June 2025, Dane reported that he had lost all use of his right arm and anticipated losing control of his left hand within months. He missed a "Grey’s Anatomy" tribute at the 2025 Emmys after a fall caused by ALS left him hospitalized with head stitches.
Despite the relentless progression of his illness, Dane became a passionate advocate for ALS awareness and research. At a June 2025 news conference at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., he addressed the challenges faced by patients: "When that diagnosis hits and you find out that you're sick, your life becomes filled with great uncertainty. And the worst thing we could do is add even more uncertainty for patients and their loved ones with unnecessary prior authorization," he told the assembled crowd, as reported by USA TODAY.
Throughout his battle, Dane credited Gayheart as his "biggest champion, my most stalwart supporter," and remained fiercely devoted to his daughters. "At the end of the day, all I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can," he shared in his interview with Diane Sawyer. His openness about ALS, addiction, and depression helped destigmatize these struggles and inspired countless fans and fellow patients.
Eric Dane’s legacy is one of talent, vulnerability, and resilience. As his representative Melissa Bank put it, "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’s family has asked for privacy as they grieve, but his impact—on television, in advocacy, and in the hearts of those who loved him—will not be forgotten.