Entertainment News5 min(s) read
Published 10:44 20 Feb 2026 GMT
Eric Dane, best known for his unforgettable roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, sadly passed away at the age of 53.
The late actor's family announced the heartbreaking news in a statement to PEOPLE, which 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.
“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’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time," the statement concluded.
A few days before Christmas, Dane and the Target ALS Foundation shared a post about the actor's involvement in the fight against the disease.
The foundation wrote: “We’re proud to share an important announcement: Eric Dane (@realericdane) has joined the Target ALS Board of Directors, deepening his commitment to accelerating ALS research and driving meaningful change for the ALS community.”
Target ALS Foundation praised Dane as a “powerful advocate for progress,” before adding, “His decision to join our Board reflects the same relentless spirit he brings to his personal journey.”
Alongside a photo of the actor, the Countdown actor himself wrote a personal message about living with the degenerative condition.
“This disease takes something from me every day. But I won’t let it take my spirit. Target ALS embodies that relentless spirit, and that’s why I’m joining the Board," he said.
He made it clear he wasn’t backing down from the fight, adding: “I’m looking forward to working alongside the Target ALS team to continue pushing the limits of what’s possible and changing what it means to get an ALS diagnosis. This community deserves effective treatments, and I want to do my part to deliver them.”
Tragically, Dane was only able to serve on the board for a few months before his death.
Dane died nearly a year after announcing he was diagnosed with the degenerative nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and causes increasing muscle paralysis over time.
Tributes have begun to pour in for the beloved star. Euphoria creator Sam Levinson penned: “I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing," per Variety.
Fellow Valentine's Day actor Ashton Kutcher reacted to Dane’s death, writing on X: "The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane. We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS."
SAG-AFTRA, the world’s largest labor union representing performers and broadcasters, also paid tribute to Dane following his death.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Eric Dane, a #SagAftraMember since 1991,” the union wrote on X. “He inspired audiences and colleagues alike, and faced ALS with courage and a commitment to advocacy. His legacy will endure. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans."
Dane was a high school athlete who played on the water polo team before discovering a love for acting when he was cast in a production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.
He moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19 and landed his first television role on the teen sitcom Saved By The Bell, playing Tad Pogue, a former boyfriend of Leah Remini's character, Stacey Carosi.
From there, he appeared on The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married... with Children before landing a recurring role on the medical drama Gideon's Crossing in 2000. He later played the newspaper owner Jason Dean in the fifth and sixth seasons of the fantasy series Charmed.
But it was Grey’s Anatomy that made him a household name. Introduced in the second season, Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed “McSteamy," famously appeared in the show’s third season wearing only a towel. Dane became a main cast member until his character was killed off in the ninth season.
On the big screen, he played Multiple Man in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand and appeared in the 2010 romantic comedy Valentine's Day.
In 2019, he found a new generation of fans when he was cast in Euphoria as Cal Jacobs, a father hiding the fact that he is gay.
One of Dane’s final on-screen appearances came in November when he guest-starred on the NBC medical drama Brilliant Minds.
He played Matthew Ramati, a firefighter struggling to share his ALS diagnosis with his family. The episode highlighted some of the disease’s devastating symptoms, showing Dane’s character losing the use of his hands and struggling to breathe hard into a tube.
Our thoughts are with Dane's loved ones at this time.
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