Eric Dane, star of hit tv reveals “Gray’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” has died at 53.
Dane’s household shared a press release confirming his dying with NBC Information late Thursday.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane handed on Thursday afternoon following a brave battle with ALS. He spent his last days surrounded by pricey pals, his devoted spouse, and his two lovely daughters, Billie and Georgia, who have been the middle of his world. All through his journey with ALS, Eric turned a passionate advocate for consciousness and analysis, decided to make a distinction for others dealing with the identical combat. He might be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered all the time. Eric adored his followers and is ceaselessly grateful for the outpouring of affection and assist he’s acquired. The household has requested for privateness as they navigate this not possible time.”
Dane’s huge break arrived within the mid-2000s, when he was solid as Dr. Mark Sloan, aka McSteamy, on the ABC medical drama “Gray’s Anatomy,” a task he would play from 2006 till 2012 and reprise in 2021. In 2019, he did a whole 180 and have become Cal Jacobs, a troubled married man, in HBO’s provocative drama, “Euphoria,” a task he continued in up till his dying.
In April 2025, Dane introduced he had been identified with ALS, a progressive illness that assaults nerve cells controlling muscular tissues all through the physique.
ALS regularly destroys the nerve cells and connections wanted to stroll, discuss, communicate and breathe. Most sufferers die inside three to 5 years of a prognosis.
Dane turned an advocate for ALS consciousness, talking a information convention in Washington on medical health insurance prior authorization. “A few of it’s possible you’ll know me from TV reveals, akin to “Gray’s Anatomy,” which I play a health care provider. However I’m right here right now to talk briefly as a affected person battling ALS,” he mentioned in June 2025. In September of that yr, the ALS Community named Dane the recipient of their advocate of the yr award, recognizing his dedication to elevating consciousness and assist for folks dwelling with ALS.
The Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, generally referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Illness, is a neurological illness that impacts nerve cells within the mind and spinal wire.
A memoir by Dane is scheduled to be revealed in late 2026. “Ebook of Days: A Memoir in Moments” might be launched by Maria Shriver’s The Open Discipline, a Penguin Random Home imprint. Based on Open Discipline, Dane will look again upon key moments in his life, from his first day at work on “Gray’s Anatomy” to the births of his two daughters and studying that he has ALS.
“I wish to seize the moments that formed me — the attractive days, the laborious ones, those I by no means took as a right — in order that if nothing else, individuals who learn it is going to bear in mind what it means to dwell with coronary heart,” Dane mentioned in a press release across the e-book’s announcement. “If sharing this helps somebody discover that means in their very own days, then my story is price telling.”
Dane is survived by his spouse, actor Rebecca Gayheart, and their two teen daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine. Gayheart and Dane wed in 2004 and separated in September 2017. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, however later filed to dismiss the petition. In a December essay for New York journal’s The Lower reflecting on Dane’s prognosis, Gayheart known as their dynamic “a really sophisticated relationship, one which’s complicated for folks.” She mentioned they by no means received a divorce, however dated different folks and lived individually.
“Our love might not be romantic, but it surely’s a familial love,” she mentioned. “Eric is aware of that I’m all the time going to need the very best for him. That I’m going to do my finest to do proper by him. And I do know he would do the identical for me. So no matter I can do or nevertheless I can present as much as make this journey higher for him or simpler for him, I wish to do this.”
Eric Dane is opening up in regards to the emotional highway forward after a devastating well being replace. The “Gray’s Anatomy” alum was identified with ALS earlier this yr and mirrored on the information in his first sit-down interview since going public along with his sickness.
