Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria star dies at 53 after ALS battle
maria sherman
New York: Eric Dane, famous actor known for his roles Grey’s Anatomy And Enthusiasm and later became an advocate for ALS awareness, died on Thursday (US time). He was 53 years old.
Dane died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, less than a year after announcing his diagnosis, his representatives said.
“He spent his final days surrounded by his beloved friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” he said in a statement requesting privacy for his family. “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric was a passionate advocate for awareness and research and was determined to make a difference for others facing the same struggle. He will be deeply missed and will always be fondly remembered. Eric adored his fans and will be forever grateful for the love and support he received.”
Dane’s big break came in the mid-2000s when he starred in the medical drama Dr. It came when he was cast as Mark Sloan, aka McSteamy. Grey’s AnatomyIt’s a role he would play from 2006 to 2012 and will play again in 2021. In 2019, he did a complete 180 and became Cal Jacobs, a troubled married man, in HBO Max’s provocative drama. EnthusiasmHe continued this duty until his death.
Dane also played Tom Chandler, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer navigating the seas following a global disaster that wiped out most of the world’s population. The Last Ship. Production was shut down in 2017 as Dane struggled with depression.
In April 2025, Dane announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive disease that attacks the nerve cells and connections needed to walk, talk, talk and breathe. Most patients die within three to five years of diagnosis.
Dane became an advocate for ALS awareness, speaking about health insurance preauthorization at a press conference in Washington. “Some of you may know me from television shows. Grey’s AnatomyI play a doctor here. But today, I am here to speak briefly as a patient struggling with ALS,” he said in June 2025. In September of that year, the ALS Network honored Dane with its advocate of the year award, recognizing his dedication to raising awareness and support for people living with ALS.
A memory of Dane, The Book of Days: A Memoir in MomentsIt is planned to be published in 2026.
“I want to capture the moments that shaped me – the good days, the hard days, the moments I never took for granted – so that, if nothing else, the people who read it will remember what it means to live wholeheartedly,” Dane said in a statement announcing the book. “If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their day, then my story is worth telling.”
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