Tributes flood in for Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane, who has died aged 53 | Ents & Arts News
Tributes have flooded in for actor Eric Dane, who died on Friday aged 53.
He had been diagnosed with with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
In a statement, a representative said: “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”.
Dane’s career took off when he joined long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy as the much-loved Dr Mark Sloan – better known to fans as “McSteamy”.
He played the charming surgeon from 2006 until 2012.
Eric Dane, pictured in 2020, also starred in Euphoria. Pic: Reuters
His character’s mark on the still-running show was so great that Seattle Grace Hospital, where the series is set, was renamed the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
The actor was later cast as Cal Jacobs, the antagonist in HBO’s hit, Euphoria.
Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004, and they have two children.
Ashton Kutcher, John Stamos, Nina Dobrev, Robert Patrick, Maria Shriver and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson are among the celebrity names who have also paid tribute to Dane.
Kutcher wrote in a post on X: “The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr Eric Dane.
“We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS.”
Kevin McKidd, who portrays Owen Hunt on Grey’s Anatomy, posted a picture of Dane to his Instagram stories, writing “Rest in Peace, Buddy”.
In 2025, Dane went public with the news he had been diagnosed with ALS, later using his platform to advocate for greater awareness of the disease.
Dane and Gayheart wed in 2004, and separated in September 2017. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but later filed to have the petition dismissed.
In a December essay for New York magazine’s The Cut, reflecting on Dane’s diagnosis, Gayheart called their dynamic “a very complicated relationship, one that’s confusing for people”.
Eric Dane, his wife Rebecca Gayheart (centre), and his Grey’s Anatomy co-star Ellen Pompeo (left) at a 2008 fashion show. Pic: Reuters
She said they never got a divorce, but dated other people and lived separately.
“Our love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love.”
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Actor Patrick Dempsey paid tribute to his Grey’s Anatomy co-star, describing him as the “funniest man”.
Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast, Dempsey said: “I just woke up this morning, and it was very sad to read the news. It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children.
“I was corresponding with him, we were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago, and some friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak.
“He was bedridden, and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.
“He was the funniest man – he was such a joy to work with – and I want to just remember him in that spirit, because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it.
“He had a great sense of humour.”
