Eric Dane, the actor best known for his role as Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, died on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with ALS. The news, confirmed by his wife Rebecca Gayheart and their daughters Billie and Georgia, sent shockwaves through Hollywood and left fans around the world mourning the loss of a beloved star and passionate advocate.
Dane’s journey with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, became public in April 2025 when he revealed his diagnosis. According to People, Dane said at the time, “I’m grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.” ALS is a rare, progressive degenerative disease that causes paralysis of the muscles, and as those close to Dane would later attest, it is as cruel and unforgiving as it is devastating.
Throughout his illness, Dane was never alone. His family’s statement, shared with People, captured the gravity of their loss: “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.” The statement went on to note, “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’s impact on television was significant. He joined Grey’s Anatomy in the Season 2 episode “Yesterday” on February 19, 2006, marking exactly 20 years to the day before his passing. He quickly became an audience favorite as the charismatic and complicated Dr. Mark Sloan, starring alongside Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, and others through seven seasons, from 2006 to 2012. His chemistry with the cast was legendary, and the show’s ensemble won a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) award in 2007. Dane even returned for a memorable cameo in Season 17 in 2021, a testament to the lasting bond he shared with the Grey’s family.
The outpouring of grief from Dane’s colleagues was swift and heartfelt. Kevin McKidd, who played Dr. Owen Hunt, led online tributes by posting a photo of Dane in his scrubs with the simple message, “Rest in Peace, Buddy.” Sarah Drew, who portrayed Dr. April Kepner, echoed the sentiment, sharing the same photo and writing, “Rest in peace.”
Patrick Dempsey, known to fans as Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd, shared in a January 2026 interview with Parade that he had been in touch with Dane just weeks before his passing. “It’s very hard for him, but I do try to stay in touch and see how he’s doing,” Dempsey said. “I think he’s been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease. He’s such a wonderful human being. He has such a great sense of humor, and he’s so intelligent. I’ve always enjoyed working and being around Eric.” Dempsey also revealed that he tried to cast Dane in his new thriller, Memory of a Killer, but the progression of ALS made it impossible for Dane to participate.
Ellen Pompeo, who starred opposite Dane for years, spoke at the ALS Network Champions for Cures & Care Gala on January 24, 2026. In a pre-taped message, she recalled, “As soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him, and I said, ‘I’m here if you want to speak.’ And my phone rang 30 seconds later.” She continued, “I’m really proud of you. I love you so much, and I am honored to get to speak about you today.” Pompeo also reflected on the instant chemistry she felt when Dane joined the cast as McSteamy, saying, “I immediately just fell in love with him.”
Kate Walsh, another Grey’s Anatomy alum, expressed her heartbreak over Dane’s illness in an interview with Variety. “It’s so painful. It’s really sad,” she said. “I haven’t been in touch with him, but I’ve reached out and sent my love and support and strength. It’s so heartbreaking. I keep him, his family, his girls, in my prayers.”
Tributes also poured in from outside the Grey’s universe. Nina Dobrev, who worked with Dane on Redeeming Love, described him as “warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did. He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen.” She added, “ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease. May his memory inspire more research, awareness, and progress toward a cure. He will be deeply missed.”
Alyssa Milano, who played Dane’s love interest on Charmed, shared a heartfelt remembrance: “I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective. He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard.” Milano recalled how Dane convinced her to get her pixie cut and nose piercing and accompanied her when she found her beloved rescue chihuahua. “My heart is with the people who were lucky enough to be his home,” she concluded.
Sam Levinson, creator of Euphoria—where Dane played Cal Jacobs—said in a statement to Variety, “I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.”
Paul Walter Hauser, who co-starred with Dane in the 2023 film Americana, wrote on Instagram, “We tried to book gigs, we tried to laugh at the pain and we tried to stay sober. I’m glad we got to play together in Americana. I love you, man. I wish we had more time. Enjoy the arms of Father God. I’ll see you again.”
Journalist Maria Shriver praised Dane’s bravery and revealed that his upcoming memoir will be published under her imprint. “He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis. He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS. He told me he wanted his family to know how much he loved them, and he wanted to leave them a story they could be proud of.”
Dane’s advocacy for ALS awareness and research became a defining feature of his final year. As Nina Dobrev and others noted, he hoped his journey would inspire more progress toward a cure. Even as his illness advanced, Dane remained grateful for the love and support of fans and friends, never losing his humor or warmth.
Eric Dane’s legacy, both on and off the screen, will be remembered by those who knew him and by millions who felt his impact through his work. His family, friends, and colleagues now carry forward his memory, inspired by his courage and determination in the face of an unforgiving disease.