Eric Dane, the actor who rose to fame as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and later appeared in Euphoria, has died at 53 following a battle with ALS; he is survived by his wife and two daughters
Eric Dane, the actor best known as Dr. Mark Sloan—affectionately dubbed “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy—has died at 53. His family said he passed Thursday afternoon after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In recent months Dane had gone public with his diagnosis and devoted himself to raising awareness and supporting research and patient services.
Career and impact
Dane was born in San Francisco in 1972 and built a steady, versatile career that moved from recurring television parts to leading roles on both the small and big screen. He earned mainstream fame on Grey’s Anatomy after being promoted from guest star to series regular, and the swagger and vulnerability he brought to Mark Sloan made the character a lasting pop-culture touchstone.
After Grey’s, Dane led TNT’s drama The Last Ship for multiple seasons and appeared in films including Burlesque and Bad Boys: Ride or Die. More recently, his portrayal of Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria showed a darker, more complex side to his work and reminded audiences and critics alike of his range. Over decades, he gravitated toward characters who were morally complicated, a choice that kept his performances fresh and often surprising.
ALS diagnosis and advocacy
In April, after months of medical consultations prompted by weakness in his right hand, Dane revealed he had been diagnosed with ALS. Rather than retreat, he used his platform to shine a light on the disease. He spoke openly about his experience, joined boards and partnered with patient groups, and lent his voice to fundraising and public education—efforts aimed at speeding research and improving care for people living with neuromuscular conditions.
Those closest to him say he approached advocacy with the same thoughtfulness he brought to acting: practical, persistent and focused on helping others navigate an often bewildering system. Family members and nonprofit partners credited him with bringing visibility and a humane face to the realities of ALS.
Personal life and legacy
Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004. The couple raised two daughters, Billie and Georgia, and family was a constant presence in his life and in his account of coping with illness. Friends and colleagues remember him for warmth, humor and generosity—traits that surfaced in interviews, on set and in his public outreach.
He had been working on a memoir, Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, which he described as an effort to capture meaningful experiences and perspectives on living fully. His creative work, together with his final months of advocacy, leave a legacy that stretches beyond any single role: a performer who embraced risk and complexity and who spent his last chapter striving to help others facing the same diagnosis.
The family has asked for privacy while they grieve. Representatives said Dane expressed gratitude to fans for their support and remained focused on supporting ALS organizations in his final months. Organizations that worked with him issued statements of condolence and appreciation for the attention he brought to a devastating illness, and advocates renewed calls for increased research funding and better care resources for patients and families.