Eric Dane, the actor behind Dr. Mark Sloan and Cal Jacobs, died February 19 after battling ALS; his family remembers his advocacy and devotion to his daughters
Eric Dane, the actor whose work ranged from small television parts to signature roles on stage and screen, has died after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Born in San Francisco in 1972, he built a steady career that brought him both popular recognition and, in later years, a public platform he used to champion ALS research and patient support. According to a family statement, Dane spent his final hours surrounded by loved ones, including his wife and their daughters, Billie and Georgia. The family has asked for privacy as they grieve.
A Bay Area childhood and a slow, deliberate climb
Raised in the Bay Area, Dane attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City and later San Mateo High School before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. His early résumé reads like a tour of classic TV: guest spots on Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years and Roseanne. Those bits added up, and by 2000 he had his first recurring role as Dr. Wyatt Cooper on Gideon’s Crossing and made his feature debut in The Basket. Steady work rather than instant stardom became his pattern.
The breakthrough — and a role that stuck
Everything changed in 2005 when Dane took on Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy. What began as a guest appearance quickly evolved into one of the show’s most recognizable characters. Nicknamed “McSteamy” by fans, Mark Sloan became a cultural touchstone: a part that raised Dane’s profile and stayed with audiences long after individual storylines ended. He left and returned to the series over the years, even reprising the role nearly two decades later — a rare continuity in a career marked by variety.
Film work and ensemble television
Dane didn’t limit himself to medical drama. He appeared in studio films such as X-Men: The Last Stand and Marley & Me, and carried the tension of the survival thriller Open Water 2 in a demanding, claustrophobic performance. From 2014 to 2019 he was a steady presence on Michael Bay’s The Last Ship, and more recently he earned attention for his layered portrayal of Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria. These projects showcased his ability to move between ensemble work, genre fare and intimate character pieces.
Final projects
Among his last screen credits were films like Borderline, Into the Beautiful and Family Secrets, and television projects including Wireless, Countdown and Kabul. Friends and collaborators remember him as a consummate professional who stayed committed to his craft even as his health became increasingly difficult.
A public fight and a new purpose
After being diagnosed with ALS, Dane chose to be candid about his experience and to use his visibility to help others. He joined patient groups, took on a board role with Target ALS and worked with organizations such as I Am ALS. Colleagues and fans organized benefit events and fundraisers; his advocacy highlighted gaps in care and pushed for better support for artists and gig workers who face serious illness.
Support from the community
Throughout his illness, peers rallied around him. The accounts that emerged painted a picture of private generosity — practical help, fundraising and moral support from a community that knows how fragile careers can be in the face of chronic disease. Dane’s openness about his condition helped draw attention to research, clinical trials and the day-to-day realities of living with ALS.
A legacy of work and courage
Eric Dane leaves behind a varied body of work and a quieter, equally important legacy as an advocate. His daughters were, by the family’s account, the center of his life. Fans and collaborators have poured out tributes remembering his charm, his range as an actor and the courage with which he faced his illness. Whether people first knew him as McSteamy or as a steady presence in ensemble dramas and films, many will now also recall the effort he made to turn his own struggle into action for others.