Eric Dane, recognized American actor famous for playing Dr. Mark Sloan (“McSteamy”) in Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, has passed away at the age of 53 after a prolonged battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as confirmed by his representatives and several international media outlets.
Dane made public in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure that affects motor neurons. Despite his diagnosis, the actor continued working and returned to the set to shoot scenes for the third season of Euphoria.
The actor passed away this February 19, 2026 surrounded by his family, including his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia.
His career included memorable roles on television and film, from series like Charmed and The Last Ship to films like X-Men: The Last Stand and Marley & Me. During his illness, Dane also became an advocate for ALS awareness and supported research initiatives.
Colleagues, friends, and fans have expressed their sadness at the loss of a beloved figure in the entertainment world, highlighting his talent, his dedication to acting, and his bravery in the face of illness. Some of his colleagues on Grey’s Anatomy have posted on social media about the love they had for the actor. Sarah Drew shared a picture of the actor in his role as Mark Sloan with a farewell message, while Kevin McKidd wrote a brief but heartfelt “Rest in peace, buddy”.
From the environment of Euphoria, its creator Sam Levinson assured that it was “an honor” to work with him and highlighted his dedication to the project even after the diagnosis.
Former colleagues also spoke out, such as Alyssa Milano, with whom he coincided in Charmed, among other productions, who recalled his sense of humor and his love for family. Nina Dobrev asked that his legacy drive research against ALS, while Paul Walter Hauser, John Stamos and Robert Patrick dedicated emotional personal messages to him.