Tributes have poured in for actor Eric Dane, who died on Friday at the age of 53.
He was diagnosed with a progressive neurodegenerative disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
In a statement, a representative said, “He spent his final days surrounded by loving friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world.”
Grey’s Anatomy as the much-loved Dr Mark Sloan.
Dane’s career took off when he joined the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy as the much-loved Dr Mark Sloan – known to fans as “McSteamy”.
He played the charming surgeon from 2006 to 2012.
Eric Dane, pictured in 2020, also starred in Euphoria. Photo: Reuters
His character’s impact on the still-running show was so great that Seattle Grace Hospital, where the series is set, was renamed Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
The actor was later cast as antagonist Cal Jacobs in the HBO hit, Euphoria.
Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004, and they have two children.
Ashton Kutcher, John Stamos, Nina Dobrev, Robert Patrick, Maria Shriver and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson are among the celebrity names who have paid tribute to Dane.
Kutcher wrote in a post, X: “The Franklin Strip Fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr Eric Dane.
“We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, friend. Let’s keep fighting to solve ALS.”
Kevin McKidd, who plays Owen Hunt on Grey’s Anatomy, posted a photo of Dane on his Instagram Stories, writing, “Rest in peace, buddy.”
In 2025, Dane went public with the news that he had been diagnosed with ALS, later using his platform to advocate for greater awareness of the disease.
Dane and Gayheart married in 2004 and separated in September 2017. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but the petition was later dismissed.
In a December essay for New York magazine’s The Cut, reflecting on Dane’s diagnosis, Gayheart called their dynamic relationship “a very complicated relationship, which is confusing for people.”
Eric Dane, his wife Rebecca Gayheart (centre), and his Grey’s Anatomy co-star Ellen Pompeo (left) at a 2008 fashion show. Photo: Reuters
He said that they never got divorced but dated other people and started living separately.
“Our love may not be romantic, but it is family love.”
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Actor Patrick Dempsey has paid tribute to his Grey’s Anatomy co-star, calling him “the funniest person ever”.
Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast, Dempsey said, “I just woke up this morning and was so sad to read the news. It’s hard to put into words. I’m really heartbroken for their children.
“I was corresponding with him; we were texting, so I talked to him about a week ago, and some of our friends went to visit him, and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak.
“He was bedridden, and it was very hard for him to swallow, so his quality of life was declining so rapidly.
“He was the funniest guy – he was such a joy to work with – and I want to remember him in that spirit, because he brought so much fun whenever he was on set.
“He had a great sense of humour.”
