American actor Eric Dane has died at the age of 53, nearly a year after publicly revealing his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The news was confirmed by his family, who said he passed away on February 19 after a courageous battle with the disease, surrounded by his wife and two daughters, Billie and Georgia.
Dane rose to fame as Dr. Mark Sloan (known as "McSteamy") on the series "Grey's Anatomy," where he first appeared in 2006. Initially a supporting role, his character quickly became a protagonist thanks to the great public reaction. He left the series in 2012, when his character was killed off in the script. Dane later revealed that he did not leave willingly, but was removed from the series, citing the high cost of the contract and his difficult personal period as reasons.
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane lost his father at the age of 7. He was initially an athlete, but by chance he got involved in a school play and discovered his passion for acting. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles with little money in his pocket and spent several difficult years, accompanied by problems and addictions.
Before his big break, he had cameo roles in popular series like “Charmed.” He then appeared in numerous television and film projects, including “Euphoria,” where he played Cal Jacobs, a complex role that allowed him to move away from the “sex symbol” image that had followed him since his years on “Grey’s Anatomy.”
He also starred in films such as "Valentine's Day", "Marley & Me", "Burlesque" and "Bad Boys: Ride or Die".
In his personal life, Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004. The couple had two daughters. The marriage went through ups and downs, including a scandal with the publication of a private video and the actor's period of rehabilitation due to addiction to painkillers after a sports injury. In 2018, a divorce was filed, but in March 2025, a suspension was requested.
After being diagnosed with ALS in 2025, Dane became publicly committed to raising awareness and supporting research for the disease. His family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Eric Dane leaves behind his two daughters, who, according to the family, were the center of his world.
