Eric Dane dead at 53: Grey’s Anatomy star dies after courageous battle with ALS… less than a year after announcing diagnosis

Eric Dane, who rose to fame after playing the heartthrob McSteamy on Grey’s Anatomy, has died at the age of 53.

The actor’s death was announced Thursday, less than a year after he announced that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

“We are saddened to share that Eric Dane passed away on Thursday afternoon after a courageous fight against ALS,” his family said in a statement. People on Thursday.

‘He spent his final days surrounded by his dear friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,’ they continued. ‘Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research and was determined to make a difference for others facing the same struggle.

‘He will be greatly missed and will always be remembered with love. Eric adored his fans and will forever be grateful for the love and support shown him. “The family requests privacy as we navigate this impossible time,” their statement concluded.

award-winning actor He is survived by his two teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, Georgia Geraldine, 13, and his wife. Rebecca Gayheart.

According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control and paralysis as it worsens over time; Dane was spotted in West Hollywood on October 30

“We are saddened to share that Eric Dane passed away on Thursday afternoon after a courageous fight against ALS,” his family said in a statement to People magazine on Thursday. ‘He spent his final days surrounded by his dear friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world’; Photo taken with Billie (L) and Georgia (R) in May 2024

According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control and paralysis as it worsens over time.

Dane announced his diagnosis in April. He announced in June ABC News He said – in his last interview before his death – that he lost the function of his right arm and hand.

‘I feel like maybe it will take a few more months and I won’t have my left hand.’ [functioning] or,’ Dane told Diane Sawyer.

The TV star said she was worried she would lose the use of her legs and it was ‘sobering’.

By October, Dane was in a wheelchair.

In the same interview, he said he first started noticing symptoms of the disease after being diagnosed with ALS more than a year ago.

‘I didn’t really think anything about it at the time. “I thought maybe I was texting too much or my hands were tired,” he recalled. ‘But after a few weeks I noticed it was getting a little worse and I went to a hand specialist, who sent me to another hand specialist.’

After being referred to two different neurologists, Dane was eventually diagnosed with ALS.

“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric has been a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same struggle,” the statement continued. ‘He will be deeply missed and always remembered fondly’; Photo taken in Los Angeles in June 2025

Dane plays Dr. Dane in the famous medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. He played Mark Sloan (pictured)

Her character proved so popular with viewers that she was promoted to a series regular; Pictured with series lead Ellen Pompeo on Grey’s Anatomy

Dane recently played strict and demanding father Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria (pictured)

‘I will never forget these three letters,’ he said.

Born on November 9, 1972, Dane moved to Los Angeles at the age of 21 to pursue a career in Hollywood.

Her early acting credits include roles in Saved By The Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married… with Children, but her big break came in 2000 when she took on a recurring role in Gideon’s Crossing.

He later took on the role of Jason Dean in Charmed.

In 2005, Dane appeared on Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. He made a notable guest appearance as Mark Sloan.

Her character received such an overwhelming response from viewers in her debut episode that she was promoted to a series regular for the show’s third season.

Dane continued to appear on the medical drama until season eight, when his character resigned, but Dr. Mark returned briefly in season nine before being killed off.

More recently, Dane starred as Jacob Elordi’s on-screen father in the HBO series Euphoria, which premiered in 2019.

“I’m grateful to have my loving family by my side as I navigate this next chapter,” Dane said when sharing the news of his ALS diagnosis in April.

Dane was spotted in a wheelchair in Washington DC at the end of September.

He confirmed in April that he would return to the series as Cal Jacobs for its third and final season.

‘I feel lucky to be able to continue working and look forward to getting back to work.’ [the] “It’s the set of Euphoria,” he told People.

Dane has appeared in many major productions on the big screen, including Marley & Me (2008), Burlesque (2010) and Americana (2023).

In 2010, he starred in the romantic comedy Valentine’s Day alongside Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel and Bradley Cooper.

Earlier this year, Dane starred in Jimmy Warden’s directorial debut, Borderline, opposite Samara Weaving and Ray Nicholson.

Dane has been open about his declining health, first announcing his ALS diagnosis in April.

“I was diagnosed with ALS,” he told People at the time. ‘I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as I navigate this next chapter.’

In an interview with Diane Sawyer for Good Morning America in June, Dane talked about how she’s navigating her health battle.

The popular actor married his wife Rebecca Gayheart in 2004 (pictured with their daughter in 2017)

Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but the couple called off their separation earlier this year and remained married until Dane’s death.

‘Every day I wake up and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening,’ he said. ‘This is not a dream.’

Dane’s wife Gayheart also told how her family are coping with his ‘heartbreaking’ diagnosis.

She said her teenage daughters were talking to therapists while their father battled progressive neurodegenerative disease.

“I mean, it’s heartbreaking,” he told People. ‘My girls are really suffering and we’re just trying to get through it. It’s a difficult time.

‘We have some professional therapists helping us and we’re just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love.’

Dane and Gayheart were married in 2004. They were married for 14 years until they filed for divorce in 2018. However, the couple called it quits seven years later and remained married until Dane’s death.

Dane revealed his diagnosis just a month after Gayheart requested that her divorce case be dismissed.

“I mean, we’re definitely faced with something that brings us all together and Eric will always be my family whether we’re married or not, whether we live in the same house or not, but yeah, we’re closer but we don’t like why,” she said. ‘This is a terrible disease and I wish there was a cure. I hope they find one soon because it’s so sad.’

In September, Dane was not prominently featured at the Emmy Awards, although it was previously announced that he would be reuniting with his Grey’s Anatomy co-star Jesse Williams to present an award.

Williams presented alone on stage and did not mention Dane’s absence.

A day later, Dane appeared virtually, announcing his partnership with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS.

In the video, he encouraged people to donate to the cause to find a cure.

“I’m Eric, an actor, a father, and now a person living with ALS,” he said in the video.