Eric Dane, Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria star, dies at age 53 after ALS diagnosis

The actor first developed ALS symptoms in 2024 and advocated for expanding research into the condition

Eric Dane, the actor known for memorable television roles in shows including Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died. He was 53.

Dane’s family provided a statement to People magazine announcing his death Thursday following what they called “a courageous battle with ALS,” the disease he revealed in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” read the family’s 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.

“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.”

ALS, also known as motor neurone disease, is an incurable condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and causes increasing muscle paralysis over time.

Eric Dane attending a 'Euphoria' event at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles in April 2022 (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Dane married fellow actor Rebecca Gayheart in October 2004, and they had two daughters together. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, citing "irreconcilable differences,” but called the proceedings off after Dane was diagnosed with ALS.

“We are best of friends. We are really close,” Gayheart said in April 2025. “We are great co-parents. I think it’s important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure.”

“It wasn't a failure,” she continued. “It was a huge success. We were married for, I mean, we are still married, but together for 15 years, and we had two beautiful kids so I think that's a successful relationship, and that's how we look at it.”

Dane was born in San Francisco on November 9, 1972. At 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.

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Grey's Anatomy's Eric Dane has died after battling ALS (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Prime Video)

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 season of fantasy series Charmed.

He is perhaps best known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan in Grey’s Anatomy, a character nicknamed “McSteamy” who famously appeared in the show’s third season wearing only a towel. He had first been introduced in the second season and became a main cast member until his character was killed off in the ninth season.

His film roles included playing Multiple Man, one of the X-Men in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, and appearing in the 2010 romantic comedy Valentine's Day.

Dane’s most recent television appearance came in November on ‘Brilliant Minds’ (NBC)

Dane was introduced to a new audience in 2019 when he was cast in teen drama Euphoria as Cal Jacobs, a father hiding the fact that he is gay. In interviews, he discussed the awkwardness of wearing a prosthetic to simulate nudity.

In September 2025, Dane pulled out of presenting an award at the Emmys shortly before the ceremony. In a video statement shared later, he spoke out in support of the charity I Am ALS and their Push for Progress campaign to find the “fastest path to a cure.”

One of Dane’s final on-screen appearances came in November when he guest starred on the NBC medical drama Brilliant Minds.

He played Matthew Ramati, a firefighter struggling to share his ALS diagnosis with his family. The episode shone a light on some of the symptoms of the neurodegenerative disease, with Dane’s character losing the use of his hands and struggling to breathe hard into a tube.