‘Grey's Anatomy’ star Eric Dane dies at 53

Actor Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr Mark Sloan, also known as ‘McSteamy,’ on ABC’s long-running medical drama "Grey’s Anatomy", has died at the age of 53. His family confirmed the news to People on Thursday.

Dane had publicly revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

In a statement, his family said, “It is with profound sadness that we announce Eric Dane’s passing on Thursday afternoon after a brave fight against ALS. Throughout his illness, Eric remained a dedicated advocate for raising awareness and supporting research, determined to help others facing the same condition. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. Eric cherished his fans and was truly grateful for the immense love and support he received. The family has requested privacy as they go through this incredibly difficult time.”

Although he rose to prominence as one of television’s leading heartthrobs on "Grey’s Anatomy", Dane built a wide-ranging career across both television and film. He made his television debut in a 1991 episode of the teen sitcom "Saved by the Bell" and went on to appear in popular series including "The Wonder Years", "Married… with Children", and "Roseanne". He starred on "Grey’s Anatomy" from 2006 to 2012, appearing in approximately 139 episodes.

In recent years, Dane was part of the main cast of HBO’s drama "Euphoria", a role he had held since 2019. He also starred in the one-season Amazon Prime series "Countdown" last year. His final credited television appearance is set to be a 2025 episode of NBC’s medical drama "Brilliant Minds", in which he portrayed a character living with ALS.

Following his diagnosis, Dane became an active advocate for ALS awareness and research. In December, he joined the board of directors of Target ALS, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to accelerating research and expanding awareness of the disease.

Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in a Las Vegas ceremony in 2004. Although the couple filed for divorce at one point, the separation was never finalised, and they had reconciled by the time of his death.

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According to his family, the actor spent his final days “surrounded by close friends, his devoted wife, and his two beloved daughters, Billie and Georgia, who meant everything to him.”