Eric Dane, best known for his breakout role as Dr Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and his later, darker turn as Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria, has died aged 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His death comes ten months after he went public with his diagnosis.
In a statement shared with People, Dane’s family confirmed he passed away on February 19, surrounded by loved ones.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” the 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 centre of his world.”
The family added that throughout his illness, Dane became a passionate advocate for ALS awareness and research, determined to help others facing the disease. “He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always,” they said, noting that he remained deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from fans.
Born in San Francisco on November 9, 1972, Dane found acting almost by accident after being cast in a high school production while playing water polo. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles landing early guest roles on series including Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne and Married with Children.
He later gained early recognition with a recurring role on Charmed before his breakthrough casting on Grey’s Anatomy in 2006.
Originally introduced as a guest character, Mark Sloan quickly became one of the show’s most recognisable figures, with Dane’s easy charisma earning him instant fan adoration as “Dr. McSteamy.” He later reflected that while he loved the role, he was conscious of not wanting to be confined to a single screen persona. He departed the series in 2012, with the character written out of the show.
Beyond Grey’s Anatomy, Dane anchored TNT’s action drama The Last Ship from 2014 to 2018 as Captain Tom Chandler, before reinventing his screen image once again as Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, a morally complex patriarch whose double life placed Dane in some of the show’s most confronting storylines. The role earned renewed critical attention and introduced him to a new generation of viewers.
His film credits included X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley and Me, Valentine’s Day, Burlesque, American Carnage, Dangerous Waters and Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
Off-screen, Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004. The couple welcomed daughters Billie and Georgia in 2010 and 2011.
Dane was candid about his struggles with depression and addiction, entering rehab in 2011 following a dependence on prescription painkillers after a sports injury. While Rebecca filed for divorce in 2018, the filing was later dismissed in 2025. His family said this commitment to helping others remained central to him until the end.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare, progressive neurological condition that attacks the motor neurons responsible for voluntary muscle movement.
As those nerve cells deteriorate, the body gradually loses the ability to move, speak, swallow and, eventually, breathe, while cognitive function is often left intact.
The disease has no cure, and treatment focuses on slowing progression and preserving quality of life. Dane’s decision to speak publicly about his diagnosis helped bring renewed visibility to a condition that remains underfunded, poorly understood and, for many families, devastatingly isolating.
