Eric Dane, the actor best known for his roles on Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died less than a year after revealing he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was 53. Dane starred as the family patriarch, Cal Jacobs, on the hit HBO teen drama Euphoria. Before that, he was perhaps best known as Dr Mark Sloan, or ‘Dr McSteamy’, on medical drama Grey’s Anatomy.
The California-born actor was diagnosed last year with ALS and spent the last few months raising awareness for the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND).
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” reads a statement from his family. He had two kids with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, a fellow model and actor.
According to the statement, he passed away surrounded by his loving wife, friends, and two children, Georgia and Billie, “who were the center of his world.” “He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received,” it said.
In addition, Dane appeared in films including Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day, and Burlesque. He also portrayed Jason Dean in the fantasy drama series Charmed and Captain Tom Chandler in the action drama series The Last Ship. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles.
Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, is a rare degenerative illness that gradually paralyses muscles. Dane said that his diagnosis made him “angry” on Good Morning America on the ABC network last summer. “Because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young,” he told the programme. “And now, you know, there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young”.
His father died by suicide when Dane was seven years old. The actor was born in San Francisco in 1972 and made his television debut in The Wonder Years in 1993. The late actor is being honoured by Grey’s Anatomy co-stars.
Kim Raver, who played his on-screen wife, said: “During filming, he’d get this twinkle in his eye and with a mischievous look, he would deliver with perfect comedic timing, a line of dialogue that would floor you.”
On Instagram, Kevin McKidd, who portrays trauma surgeon Owen Hunt on the show, wrote, “Rest in peace, buddy.” Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria, said to Variety, “I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend.”
“Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift,” he said.
