Eric Dane, the actor who captivated millions as the charming Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy,” died Thursday at age 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his family announced.
Dane spent his final moments surrounded by his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, according to a statement from his representative.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” the family statement read. “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 San Francisco-born actor publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. The progressive neurodegenerative disease affects approximately 1 in 300 Americans, with most patients facing a life expectancy of three to five years following diagnosis.
In the months following his diagnosis, Dane emerged as a passionate advocate for ALS awareness and research. He met with Rep. Eric Swalwell in September 2025 to discuss the disease, declaring his determination to fight for his daughters’ futures. He told the California congressman he wanted to “ring every bell” so he could see his daughters graduate college, get married, and perhaps give him grandchildren.
The disease rapidly progressed. By June 2025, Dane had completely lost the use of his right arm. In an interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer, he revealed: “My left side is functioning; my right side has completely stopped working.”
Despite his physical limitations, Dane remained committed to his craft. At an I Am ALS panel in December, he expressed his determination to continue working in any capacity possible, noting he still had his brain and his speech and was willing to take on any role.
Dane’s career spanned more than three decades, beginning with a 1991 appearance on “Saved by the Bell.” Early roles in “The Wonder Years,” “Married with Children,” and “Roseanne” laid the groundwork for more prominent parts in “Charmed,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Marley & Me,” and “Burlesque.”
His breakthrough arrived in 2006 when he joined “Grey’s Anatomy” as Dr. Mark Sloan, the flirtatious plastic surgeon who became a fan favorite. The character’s nickname, “McSteamy,” became part of television lexicon. Dane appeared on the series from 2006 to 2012, with a brief reprise in 2021. His character died in the Season 9 premiere following injuries sustained in a plane crash.
After departing “Grey’s Anatomy,” Dane starred as Captain Tom Chandler in TNT’s “The Last Ship” for five seasons between 2014 and 2018. The role showcased his range as an action lead in the post-apocalyptic drama.
In 2019, Dane took on a darker role as Cal Jacobs in HBO’s provocative drama “Euphoria,” playing the troubled father of Jacob Elordi’s character. He filmed the show’s upcoming third season, set to premiere April 12, 2026, in a wheelchair due to his declining health.
His recent work took on profound personal meaning. In November 2025, Dane appeared on NBC’s “Brilliant Minds” as a firefighter battling ALS who concealed his diagnosis from his family. Showrunner Michael Grassi revealed that the cast and crew gave Dane a 10-minute standing ovation after filming a pivotal scene, calling his performance “so beautiful and so honest and so real.”
The physical realities of living with ALS forced Dane to withdraw from public appearances. He missed the 2025 Emmy Awards after falling in his kitchen and requiring stitches. In January 2026, he canceled his scheduled appearance at an ALS Network gala where he was to receive the Dean and Kathleen Rasmussen Advocate of the Year Award.
Throughout his illness, Dane maintained his advocacy work, understanding the platform his fame provided. He told an I Am ALS panel that sharing his journey with as many people as possible had become imperative because his life no longer felt like it was about him alone.
ABC and 20th Television, which produces “Grey’s Anatomy,” released a joint statement praising Dane’s talent and courage. HBO similarly honored the actor, with “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson calling him a “dear friend” whose memory would be “for a blessing.”
Dane’s personal life included profound tragedy. His father died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound when Eric was seven years old, a loss that shaped his perspective on fatherhood with his own daughters.
The family requested privacy while mourning their loss, adding that Dane “adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.”
Dane leaves behind a body of work spanning film and television, from his last appearance in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” in 2024 to his iconic turn as television’s unforgettable “McSteamy.” More significantly, he leaves a legacy of advocacy and determination in the face of one of medicine’s most devastating diagnoses.
