Eric Dane, the actor best known for his roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” who later became an advocate for ALS awareness, died Thursday. He was 53.
His representatives said Dane died of 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 family statement said, requesting privacy. “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 received.”
Born Nov. 9, 1972, and raised in California, Dane was 7 when his father, a Navy serviceman, died of a gunshot wound. 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 the film “X-Men: The Last Stand,” as well as a season on the short-lived medical drama “Gideon’s Crossing.”
His breakthrough came in the mid-2000s when he was cast as Dr. Mark Sloan — known as “McSteamy” — on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” He appeared on the hit medical drama from 2006 to 2012 and briefly reprised the role in 2021.
In 2019, he took on a markedly different role as Cal Jacobs, a troubled father, in HBO’s drama “Euphoria,” a character he continued to portray until his death.
Dane also starred as Tom Chandler, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer navigating a global catastrophe, in TNT’s “The Last Ship.” Production on the series was halted in 2017 as Dane sought treatment for depression.
In April 2025, Dane announced he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells controlling muscles throughout the body. The condition gradually destroys the ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe. Most patients die within three to five years of diagnosis.
Following his diagnosis, Dane became an outspoken advocate for ALS awareness and research. Speaking at a news conference in Washington in June 2025 about health insurance prior authorization, he said: “Some of you may know me from TV shows such as ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ where I played a doctor. But I am here today to speak briefly as a patient battling ALS.”
In September 2025, the ALS Network named him its Advocate of the Year, citing his commitment to raising awareness and support for people living with the disease.
A memoir by Dane, “Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments,” is scheduled for publication in 2026 by The Open Field, an imprint of Penguin Random House founded by Maria Shriver. According to the publisher, the book reflects on pivotal moments in his life, from his first day on “Grey’s Anatomy” to the births of his daughters and his ALS diagnosis.
“I want to capture the moments that shaped me — the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted — so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart,” Dane said in a statement announcing the book. “If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling.”