Grey’s Anatomy Actor Eric Dane Passes Away at 53 After Battle With ALS

Eric Dane has died at the age of 53. The actor, who became popular for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, passed away 10 months after publicly revealing his diagnosis with ALS.

Dane died on Thursday, February 19, his family confirmed in a statement. “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 two beautiful daughters who were the center of his world,” the statement reads.

Eric Dane: Getty images

The actor was born in 1972 in San Francisco, he found acting accidentally during high school. In an interview with Gulf Times, he recalled how he initially focused on water polo, and later became roped into playing Joe Keller in a school production of All My Sons, describing it as the moment he realized he wanted to pursue acting.

Eric Dane: Getty images

Aside from his role in Grey’s Anatomy, he made appearances on series including “Saved by the Bell,” “Roseanne,” “Silk Stalking” and “Charmed”. In 2014, he took on a leading role in the TNT drama “The Last Ship,” which was halted in 2017 due to Dane’s battle with depression. More recently, he portrayed Cal Jacobs, father to Jacob Elordi’s character, in HBO’s “Euphoria” and starred in the crime thriller series “Countdown” last year.

During his time with ALS, he became an advocate for creating awareness of the illness. He spoke in a news conference in Washington on health insurance prior authorization. “Some of you may know me from TV shows, such as ‘Grey’s Anatomy, which I play a doctor. But I am here today to speak briefly as a patient battling ALS,” he said in June 2025.

Eric Dane: Getty images

After that, the ALS Network named Dane the recipient of their advocate of the year award in September, acknowledging his commitment to raising awareness and support for people living with ALS.

A memoir by Eric Dane, titled Book of Days, will be published later this year by Maria Shriver’s The Open Field, an imprint of Penguin Random House. According to the publisher, the memoir reflects on pivotal moments in Dane’s life, including his first day on Grey’s Anatomy, the births of his two daughters, and the period when he learned of his ALS diagnosis.

Eric Dane: Getty images

Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004. The couple separated in 2017. He is survived by his two teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine.