Eric Dane, the actor best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy, passed away at the age of 53 on Thursday, February 19, following a year-long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. His family confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, describing how he spent his final days surrounded by loved ones, including his wife Rebecca Gayheart and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia. Dane had publicly shared his diagnosis in April 2025, transforming his personal struggle into a platform for advocacy that touched the lives of many in the ALS community.
According to a statement from his family, shared with Us Weekly, Dane's death came after a "courageous battle with ALS." The message read, "With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. 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." The family emphasized his commitment to raising awareness, noting, "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."
Dane's last public appearance took place less than three months before his death, during a virtual panel hosted by IAMALS.org on December 2, 2025. In that discussion, he opened up about the profound emotional and physical toll of the disease, which progressively weakens muscles and impairs nerve function. Speaking candidly, Dane said, “I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day. I don’t think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying.”
Despite the grim realities he faced, Dane expressed a fierce determination to persist in his career and advocacy work. He told the panel, “I’m not about to concede my purpose for some disease. I just am not capable of doing that.” Highlighting his limitations as an actor, he added, “I’m fairly limited in what I can do physically as an actor, but I still have my brain and I still have my speech, so I’m willing to do just about anything.” This resilience underscored his shift in perspective, where sharing his health journey became a mission beyond himself.
“For Dane, sharing his diagnosis and health journey was ‘imperative’ because he didn’t ‘feel like my life is about me anymore,’” the report from the panel detailed. “And it’s something I’ve had to wrestle with because I’m a pretty selfish person, and I would love my life to be all about me, but I just can’t — I don’t think I’d be able to move forward if that were the case,” Dane confessed.
Family remained at the forefront of Dane's priorities amid his illness. With Gayheart, his wife since 2004, and their daughters born in 2010 and 2012, he vowed to use his influence for good. He stated during the panel, “This is such a big deal to me, to make sure that people are aware of what ALS is and what it’s about and more importantly, what we can do to combat it and improve the landscape.” Dane lamented the challenges in ALS research, saying, “Because it’s so rocky and littered with hurdles and bureaucracy and all this other nonsense that we’re trying to sift through so we can get to a place where we can start working on solutions.”
Just weeks before his passing, Dane was slated to be honored at the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures and Care Gala on January 24, 2026, where he was to receive the Advocate of the Year Award. However, his deteriorating health prevented his attendance. The organization issued a statement, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, saying, “The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us this evening to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend.” They continued, “We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support. Aaron Lazar, Broadway star and Grammy Award nominee, will accept the award on his behalf.”
This event highlighted the rapid progression of Dane's condition since his diagnosis less than a year earlier. ALS, a neurodegenerative disease with no cure, affects about 30,000 people in the United States at any given time, according to the ALS Association. Dane's openness about his experience brought renewed attention to the disorder, which famously afflicted physicist Stephen Hawking for decades but often leads to death within two to five years of onset.
Before his health declined sharply, Dane continued to work in television, reflecting his refusal to let ALS define him entirely. His final on-screen role was in NBC's Brilliant Minds, where he portrayed a firefighter grappling with an ALS diagnosis and the difficulty of informing his family. The episode aired in late 2025, showcasing Dane's ability to channel his real-life struggles into authentic performances. Additionally, he is expected to appear posthumously in Euphoria season 3, set to premiere in April 2026 on HBO.
Dane's career spanned over two decades, with breakout success on Grey's Anatomy from 2006 to 2012, where his character, often called "McSteamy," became a fan favorite. He later starred in shows like Leathernecks and films including Marley & Me. His marriage to Gayheart, a fellow actor known for roles in Scream 2, had been a source of public interest, especially after they navigated personal challenges together, including a 2018 DUI incident involving Gayheart.
In the wake of his death, tributes poured in from Hollywood peers. Alyssa Milano, who co-starred with Dane on Charmed, shared her grief on social media, calling him a "dear friend" and praising his bravery. Other celebrities, including those from the Grey's Anatomy cast, echoed sentiments of loss and admiration for his advocacy. The family's statement concluded, “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. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Gayheart had previously addressed the family's emotional journey in interviews, speaking about "anticipatory grief" in the face of Dane's illness. This term, used by those caring for terminally ill loved ones, captures the mourning that begins before the actual loss. Her words provided insight into the private toll on the family, even as Dane maintained a public facade of strength.
Dane's advocacy extended beyond personal storytelling; he actively supported organizations like the ALS Network and IAMALS.org, which focus on research funding and patient care. His participation in the December virtual panel was part of broader efforts to destigmatize ALS and push for policy changes. Experts in the field note that celebrity involvement can significantly boost donations—ALS research received a surge in funding after Hawking's death in 2018, for instance.
Looking ahead, Dane's legacy in the ALS community is likely to endure through the projects he championed. The Euphoria appearance, filmed before his condition worsened, may serve as a poignant reminder of his talent. Meanwhile, his family's request for privacy underscores the human side of fame, where public figures like Dane balance vulnerability with the demands of visibility.
As the entertainment world mourns, Dane's story highlights the urgent need for ALS breakthroughs. With no effective treatments to halt progression, advocates continue to call for increased federal funding, currently around $10 million annually from the National Institutes of Health. Dane's final words on the panel resonate as a call to action: to navigate the "bureaucracy" and find solutions for the tens of thousands affected worldwide.
In Appleton and beyond, fans remember Dane not just as an actor, but as a voice for the voiceless in the fight against ALS. His passing at 53 leaves a void, but his determination to "make a difference" ensures his impact will linger, inspiring ongoing efforts in research and awareness.