Eric Dane is being remembered by co-stars and collaborators following his passing this week. The Grey’s Anatomy star died on Thursday at the age of 53, ten months after publicly sharing his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and causes loss of muscle control.
His family confirmed the news in a statement to People: “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. 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. 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.”
They added, “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.”
Tributes quickly followed.
His Valentine’s Day co-star Ashton Kutcher wrote on X: “Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS.”
Dane portrayed Cal Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria, and creator Sam Levinson told Variety: “I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. “Working with him was an honour. Being his friend was a gift.“
The official Euphoria account added: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Eric Dane’s passing. He was incredibly talented and HBO was fortunate to have worked with him on three seasons of Euphoria.”
His Wedding Wars co-star John Stamos shared: “RIP, Buddy. Me and @realericdane played brothers years ago in a beautiful movie called, Wedding Wars. Good guy. Too soon. Xo J.”
Alyssa Milano, who starred alongside Dane in Charmed, reflected on his presence both on and off set. She wrote: “I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective. He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard.
“And when it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren’t present. You could see it in the way his voice changed when he said their names. A breathtakingly beautiful family.
“The spark. The mischief. The tenderness he kept guarded but never totally hidden.”
She also recalled their friendship beyond work: “He convinced me to get my pixie cut and my nose piercing. He was also with me on the walk when we found Lucy, my beloved rescue chihuahua. He called me “Milano,” as if it was the only part of my name that mattered. My heart is with the people who were lucky enough to be his home.”
Nina Dobrev, who worked with Dane on the 2022 romantic drama Redeeming Love, wrote: “He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen. ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease.”
Dane, widely known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, is survived by his daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom he shared with actress Rebecca Gayheart.
After moving to Los Angeles, he built a career across television and film with roles in Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Charmed, Grey’s Anatomy, and Marley & Me. The outpouring of tributes reflects not only his impact as a performer but also the lasting impression he left on colleagues and friends throughout the industry.
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Eric Dane dies at 53 following battle with ALS
