Eric Dane died on the 20th anniversary of his first appearance on Grey’s Anatomy.
Dane’s loved ones confirmed his death in a statement on Thursday, February 19, following his battle with ALS, noting that the actor “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.”
The same day also marked 20 years since he made his debut on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Dane was introduced in the role of Dr. Mark Sloan in season 2, episode 18 — titled “Yesterday” — which aired on February 19, 2006.
“Mark Sloan (McSteamy) arrives at Seattle Grace, forcing Derek and Addison to confront their past,” read the synopsis for the episode at the time.
Dane returned one season later in a larger role and remained on the show until 2012. His character ultimately died from injuries sustained in a plane crash.
“I think I was let go,” Dane said on an episode of the “Armchair Expert” in 2024 while reflecting on his exit from the series.
Dane also opened up about battling addiction issues after entering a treatment center in 2011. He insisted that the show’s producers “didn’t let me go because of that.”
“Although it definitely didn’t help. I was starting to become — as most of these actors who have spent significant time on a show, you start to become very expensive for the network,” he explained. “And the network knows that the show is going to do what it’s going to do irrespective of who they keep on it. As long as they have their Grey, they’re fine.”
He concluded: “I wasn’t the same guy they had hired. So I understood when I was let go. And [executive producer] Shonda [Rhimes] was really great. She protected us fiercely. She protected us publicly. She protected us privately. … But I was probably fired. It wasn’t ceremoniously like, ‘You’re fired,’ it was just like, ‘You’re not coming back.’”
Dane ultimately got sober and continued to book roles in shows such as Euphoria and Countdown. He announced his battle with ALS in April 2025, shortly before production began on Euphoria’s third and final season.
Before his death, Dane was candid about his experience with the diagnosis, teaming up with organizations like I AM ALS to raise awareness. He was honored by I AM ALS in a heartfelt statement on Thursday.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of our friend Eric Dane — a fierce advocate, a generous spirit, and a true champion in the movement to end ALS. Eric used his platform not for attention, but for action,” their message noted. “From the moment he joined I AM ALS, he showed up with courage and conviction, asking how he could use his superpowers to help the movement grow. It was an honor to brainstorm with him, to walk alongside him in the halls of Congress on behalf of our community, amplify the urgent need for ACT for ALS and research funding, and drive toward treatments and, ultimately, a cure. He understood that ALS is not just a diagnosis; it is a call to action for families, for answers, and for change.”
The organization promised to continue Dane’s legacy.
“Eric brought humility, humor, and visibility to ALS and reminded the world that progress is possible when we refuse to remain silent,” their statement continued. “Eric was more than a supporter of our mission — he was part of our family. His impact will live on in the research being funded, the policies being advanced, and the community he helped grow by his honesty, his bravery, and his belief in a better future for anyone struggling with this diagnosis.”
The statement concluded: “We honor Eric by continuing the work he believed in so deeply: mobilizing communities, driving critical research, securing essential funding, and fighting relentlessly for real solutions. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and our entire community. I AM ALS will carry his legacy forward — until ALS is no more.”
