ERIC DANE, GREY’S ANATOMY ACTOR AND ALS ADVOCATE, DIES AT 53.(PHOTO).

Eric Dane, Grey’s Anatomy actor and ALS advocate, dies at 53

Eric Dane, the actor celebrated for his roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria” and later known as an advocate for ALS awareness, died Thursday at the age of 53.

His representatives said Dane passed away from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, less than a year after publicly announcing his diagnosis. “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,” a statement read. “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.”

Dane became widely known in the mid-2000s for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed McSteamy, on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” which he played from 2006 to 2012 and briefly reprised in 2021. The character, killed off in a plane crash, left a lasting impact on the series, with Seattle Grace Hospital eventually renamed Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. In 2019, Dane took on a darker role as Cal Jacobs in HBO’s “Euphoria,” a part he continued until his death.

He also starred as Tom Chandler, captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer in TNT’s “The Last Ship,” a role interrupted in 2017 when Dane faced depression.

Dane announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, a progressive disease that gradually destroys nerve cells controlling muscles, making walking, speaking, and breathing increasingly difficult. Most patients live three to five years after diagnosis. Following his announcement, Dane became a vocal advocate for ALS awareness, speaking publicly in Washington on health insurance and advocacy. Later in 2025, he received the ALS Network’s Advocate of the Year award.

Born Nov. 9, 1972, Dane grew up in Northern California. His father, a Navy veteran and architect, died from a gunshot wound when Dane was 7. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, landing guest roles on shows including “Saved by the Bell,” “Married… With Children,” “Charmed,” and “X-Men: The Last Stand,” as well as a season of “Gideon’s Crossing.”

A memoir by Dane, Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, is scheduled for release in late 2026 through Maria Shriver’s The Open Field imprint of Penguin Random House. The book will explore his career, family life, and journey with ALS. Dane said the memoir aims to capture the moments that shaped him and inspire readers to find meaning in their own lives.

Dane is survived by his wife, actor Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine. Dane and Gayheart married in 2004, separated in 2017, and while Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, she later dismissed the petition. In a December 2025 essay, Gayheart described their relationship as “a very complicated relationship, one that’s confusing for people,” emphasizing their familial bond and mutual care despite living separately and dating other partners.