The cast of *Grey’s Anatomy* is mourning the loss of Eric Dane, who passed away at 53 after a struggle with ALS.
Dane was well-known for his role as Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, which he portrayed for seven seasons, beginning in Season 3 in 2006 and continuing until Season 9 in 2012.
Throughout those years, the series featured stars like Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey), Patrick Dempsey (Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd), and Katherine Heigl (Izzie Stevens), among others.
Kevin McKidd, who plays Owen Hunt on the show, led the tributes by sharing a photo of Dane in scrubs on Instagram, writing, “Rest in peace, buddy.”
Sarah Drew, who played Dr. April Kepner, also remembered Dane, posting the same image with a heartfelt note of “Rest in peace.”
Dane had announced his diagnosis of ALS in April 2025, and he died on a Thursday.
His family released a statement to People magazine later that evening, expressing their sorrow. They shared that he spent his last moments surrounded by his loving wife and two daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were his primary focus in life.
Throughout his battle with ALS, Dane became a strong advocate for awareness and research efforts to help others facing similar challenges.
His family expressed how deeply they would miss him, stating, “He will be greatly missed and will always be remembered fondly.” They also mentioned their gratitude for the support he received from his fans, highlighting the need for privacy as they navigated this difficult time.
In an interview, Patrick Dempsey revealed that they had texted just weeks before Dane’s passing, noting that his illness made it difficult for him to appear in a new Fox show. “It’s been tough, but I always check in to see how he’s doing,” he said, commending Dane’s courage throughout his illness.
Ellen Pompeo reminisced about their close bond, sharing that she reached out as soon as she heard of his diagnosis, which led to a heartfelt conversation. “I love you,” she told him, expressing her pride and deep affection.
Dane was looking forward to a mini-reunion at the 2025 Emmy Awards, but sadly, he missed it due to a recent injury. Jesse Williams presented an award that night, reflecting on their time together by calling Dane “my brother.”
Eric Dane first graced the screen in *Grey’s Anatomy* season 2, and he cherished his experiences on the show. In a past interview, he said, “It was fun. I love all of those people dearly.”
