Actor Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on the hit television series Grey’s Anatomy, has died at the age of 53, his family announced on Thursday. Dane had publicly revealed last year that he was battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Read More: Eric Dane speaks up on his Emmys absence amid ALS battle
“Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said in a statement. “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.”
JUST IN: Actor Eric Dane, best known for his starring role in the long-running ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” has died at 53. https://t.co/NX2DuXdeR0 pic.twitter.com/VBxVxOu87m
— ABC News (@ABC) February 20, 2026
Dane earned widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the charismatic plastic surgeon nicknamed “McSteamy,” a role he played for 15 years on Grey’s Anatomy. He also appeared in the HBO series Euphoria and had film credits including Marley & Me and X-Men: The Last Stand. Despite his ALS diagnosis, Dane had expressed intentions to return to the set of Euphoria for its third season.
ALS is a progressive neurological disorder in which the brain loses its ability to communicate with muscles, eventually leading to paralysis. It gained its nickname from baseball Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, who died from the disease in 1941 at age 37. During his illness, Dane became an advocate for ALS awareness and research, aiming to support others confronting the disease.
Read More: Patrick Dempsey stands by Eric Dane amid ALS struggle
Born on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, Dane was the older of two brothers and began acting in 1993 with a role on The Wonder Years. His breakthrough came in 2005 with Grey’s Anatomy, which cemented his status as a television star.
Dane and fellow actor Rebecca Gayheart, mother of his two children, were married for 14 years before separating in 2018. The actor is remembered for his charm, talent, and advocacy in his final years.