Eric Dane, the actor beloved for his role as the charismatic Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, died on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53. His cause of death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, Variety reported. Dane had publicly announced his diagnosis in April 2025, and in the months that followed he became one of the most visible advocates for ALS awareness in the country.
Born on November 9, 1972, Dane grew up in Northern California under difficult circumstances. His father, whom the actor described as a Navy veteran and architect, died of a gunshot wound when Dane was just 7 years old, according to PBS. Despite the early tragedy, Dane pursued acting and steadily built a career in Hollywood that would eventually make him a household name.
His breakout came with Grey’s Anatomy. Dane first appeared as a guest in a Season 2 episode in 2005 before joining as a series regular the following season. Over the next six years, he appeared in 134 additional episodes through May 2012, turning McSteamy into one of the show’s most iconic characters. His character, a cocky yet skilled plastic surgeon, was ultimately killed off after sustaining fatal injuries in a plane crash during the eighth-season finale. The show later honored the character by renaming Seattle Grace Hospital as Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, as NPR noted.
Dane reprised the role of Mark Sloan in 2021 during Grey’s Anatomy’s 17th season, delighting fans who had long mourned the character’s departure. But his career extended well beyond that single role. He starred as Tom Chandler, a U.S. Navy destroyer captain, on the TNT drama The Last Ship for five seasons from 2014 to 2018. He also played Jamie Madrox, also known as Multiple Man, in the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand.
More recently, Dane took on the role of Cal Jacobs — the troubled father of Jacob Elordi’s character Nate — on HBO’s critically acclaimed series Euphoria beginning in 2019, according to CNN. The performance showcased a darker, more complex side of his range and introduced him to a new generation of viewers.
Throughout his career, Dane was candid about personal struggles. While working on Grey’s Anatomy, he checked himself into rehab for an addiction to painkillers, as he disclosed on a 2024 episode of Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, The Hollywood Reporter reported. In 2017, production on The Last Ship was halted while Dane battled depression.
His ALS symptoms began with weakness in his right hand, Dane told ABC’s Good Morning America in June 2025. The Hollywood Reporter reported that he first experienced symptoms roughly a year and a half before his public announcement. The disease progressed rapidly, but Dane channeled his remaining energy into advocacy with striking determination.
In June 2025, Dane spoke at a Washington, D.C. news conference on health insurance prior authorization, identifying himself as a patient battling ALS, CBS News reported. By September 2025, the ALS Network named him their advocate of the year for his commitment to raising awareness and support for people living with the disease.
Even as his health declined, Dane pressed on. He had been scheduled to present at the Emmy Awards in October 2025 alongside former Grey’s co-star Jesse Williams but was forced to miss the ceremony due to a head injury tied to his ALS diagnosis. Days later, he traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate with lawmakers for more ALS research funding, according to Rolling Stone.
Dane is survived by his estranged wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, from whom he had been separated since 2017, and their two daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine. Gayheart and Dane married in 2004 and separated in September 2017.
A memoir by Dane titled “Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments” is scheduled for publication in late 2026 through Maria Shriver’s The Open Field imprint at Penguin Random House. The book promises to offer an intimate look at a life marked by loss, resilience, and an unflinching willingness to be vulnerable — qualities that defined both the man and the roles he brought to life on screen.
