Eric Dane death latest: Euphoria creator, Ashton Kutcher and John Stamos lead tributes after Grey’s Anatomy actor dies age 53
Grey's Anatomy's Eric Dane has died after a ‘courageous battle with ALS,’ his family announced
Tributes have begun to pour in for Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, after he died at the age of 53 Thursday.
Euphoria creator Sam Levinson said he was “heartbroken” over the death of Dane, who played Cal Jacobs on the hit drama.
“I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric,” Levinson told Variety. “Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift.“
Dane died nearly a year after announcing he was diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative nervous system disease.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said in a statement to People. “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.”
Fellow Valentine's Day actor Ashton Kutcher also reacted to Dane’s death, writing on X, “Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS.”
“Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received,” Dane’s family said.
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What to know about Eric Dane's early acting career
Before his breakout role as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan in Grey’s Anatomy, Eric Dane appeared in several popular TV shows.
Dane was born in San Francisco on November 9, 1972. In high school, he was an athlete who played on the water polo team, but he discovered a love for acting when he was cast in a production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.
He moved to Los Angeles and at the age of 19 landed his first television role on teen sitcom Saved By The Bell, playing Tad Pogue, a former boyfriend of Leah Remini's character Stacey Carosi.
Dane followed that appearance with small roles in The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married... with Children before he landed a recurring role in medical drama Gideon's Crossing in 2000. He then had a significant role as the newspaper owner Jason Dean in the fifth and sixth seasons of the fantasy series Charmed.
Throwback photo: Eric Dane's with Grey's Anatomy co-stars
Read Eric Dane's family's full statement on his death
Here is the full statement Eric Dane’s family gave People about the 53-year-old actor’s death:
"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said. “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.”
"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. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time,” they added.
Oscar-winning actress reacts to Eric Dane's death: 'Rest In Peace'
Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin has paid tribute to Eric Dane following his death.
“Mr. Eric Dane. Thank you for sharing your craft over the years. Rest In Peace,” she wrote on X.
What to know about Eric Dane's memoir
Actor Eric Dane died at the age of 53 Thursday after battling ALS. His memoir, Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, will be released this year.
Journalist Maria Shriver’s The Open Field, a Penguin Random House imprint, will publish the book.
The memoir will include pivotal moments in Dane’s life, including his first day on the set of Grey’s Anatomy, the birth of his two daughters and when he received his ALS diagnosis, according to The Open Field.
“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," Dane previously said about the book, per the Associated Press. "If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling.”
Maria Shriver was 'honored' Eric Dane chose her publishing imprint for his memoir
Journalist Maria Shriver has said she was “honored” Eric Dane chose her publishing imprint for his memoir, which is set be released this year.
“I’m heartbroken by this devastating news about Eric Dane. What a tragedy. He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis. He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS,” Shriver wrote on X.
Dane died at the age of 53 Thursday after battling ALS, a degenerative nervous system disease.
“I was honored he chose my publishing imprint to publish his memoir. He told me he wanted his family to know how much he loved them, and he wanted to leave them a story they could be proud of,” Shriver added.
What is ALS and what are the symptoms and causes?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Its name is derived from Greek and refers to a wasting away of the muscles responsible for controlling voluntary movement caused by a lack of nourishment, the fault of a genetic mutation.
As the ALS Association explains: “Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their demise.”
Read on...
What is ALS and what are the causes?
John Stamos says his Wedding Wars co-star left 'too soon'
John Stamos has paid tribute to Eric Danes, saying his Wedding Wars co-star left “too soon.”
“RIP, Buddy. Me and @realericdane played brothers years ago in a beautiful movie called, Wedding Wars. Good guy. Too soon. Xo J,” Stamos wrote on Instagram.
ALS group reacts to death of 'fierce advocate' Eric Dane
I AM ALS, a group aimed at ending the degenerative nervous system disease, has paid tribute to Eric Dane, who died at the age of 53 Thursday.
The actor announced he was diagnosed with ALS last April and had worked with the advocacy group before his death.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of our friend @RealEricDane, a fierce advocate, a generous spirit, and a true champion in the movement to end ALS,” I AM ALS wrote on X.
Fans left 'devastated' over Eric Dane's death
Fans have poured into the comment section of an Instagram post announcing Eric Dane’s death. The actor died at 53 after battling ALS.
“I’m devastated. RIP, Eric,” one person wrote on a post by People.
Another commented: “So young. RIP McSteamy,” referring to his Grey’s Anatomy character’s nickname.
“I’m sitting here crying like a baby. He was such a lovely man, a family man. May he rest in peace,” a third said.
Dane leaves behind his wife of more than 20 years and their two daughters.
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