Eric Dane, 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Euphoria' star, dies at 53 after ALS battle

Actor Eric Dane, 53, dies after ALS battle

Actor Eric Dane, most known for his roles as Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan in Grey's Anatomy and Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, has died at 53. His death comes less than one year after he announced his ALS diagnosis. 

Eric Dane, best known for his roles in "Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria has died at the age of 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Dane passed away on Thursday, Feb. 19, according to a family statement. 

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Eric Dane at Prime Video's "Countdown" Los Angeles premiere held at the Harmony Gold Theater on June 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

What they're saying:

"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," said a statement that requested privacy for his family. "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."

What is ALS? 

Dig deeper:

ALS is a progressive disease that gradually destroys the nerve cells and connections needed to walk, talk, speak and breathe. Most patients die within three to five years of a diagnosis.

It is also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. 

Eric Dane’s memoir

Big picture view:

His memoir, ""Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments", was published in 2026, nearly two years after he publicly announced he’d been diagnosed with ALS. 

"I wake up every morning, and I’m immediately reminded that this is real — this illness, this challenge and that’s exactly why I’m writing this book," Dane said in a statement at the time the book was announced. "I want to capture the moments that shaped me — the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted — so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart. If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling."

Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart

Family life

Dane was married to actor Rebecca Gayheart and the couple share two children, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but filed to dismiss the petition in 2025 just before Dane announced his diagnosis, news outlets reported.

Gayheart shared in an essay published on The Cut in early 2026 that she’d taken charge of Dane’s medical care, and that he had begun requiring nursing care 24/7.