Eric Dane, best known for his role as “McSteamy” in Grey’s Anatomy, passed away at the age of 53 after a ten-month battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family confirmed the news to People magazine, stating that the actor took his last breath on the afternoon of Thursday, February 19, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.

Who Was Eric Dane?

Born on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, California, Eric Dane began his professional acting career in the 1990s with appearances in various television series. His breakthrough came in 2006 when he joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy as plastic surgeon Mark Sloan, a role that brought him international fame and widespread recognition.

During his time on Grey’s Anatomy, Dane also pursued a film career, appearing in productions such as X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, and Burlesque. These roles further solidified his status in both television and cinema.

Post-Grey’s Anatomy Career

After leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Dane took on a leading role in the drama series The Last Ship, portraying Captain Tom Chandler. In 2019, he joined the cast of Euphoria as Cal Jacobs, father of the character Nate. He appeared in the second season and was set to return for the third and final season.

Final Appearance and Public Struggle with ALS

Dane’s last television appearance was in the fall of 2025 on the series Brilliant Minds, where he played a firefighter battling ALS. According to the show’s creator, Michael Grass, Dane had personally expressed his desire to be part of the production, as he was a fan of the series.

In November 2025, photos of Dane in a wheelchair were published, showing him visibly weakened during a meeting with his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart, on October 30. The images, obtained by the Daily Mail, depicted Dane leaving a Hollywood restaurant with Gayheart and one of their daughters. These photos were released just weeks after Dane was first seen in public using a wheelchair at Washington Airport.

Diagnosis and Public Battle with ALS

In April 2025, Dane publicly announced his ALS diagnosis, a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to progressive loss of muscle control. In a June 2025 interview with Good Morning America, he described the early symptoms he noticed, including weakness in his right hand and a gradual decline in his condition.

Over the following months, his health deteriorated, with public appearances revealing his increasing difficulty with movement and speech. Despite the physical toll of the disease, Dane remained professionally active and used his platform to raise awareness and support research for ALS.

Personal Life and Final Days

Dane was a devoted father to two daughters, Billie and Georgia. According to his family, he passed away with his estranged wife and daughters by his side—his daughters, they said, “were the center of his world.”