Eric Dane remembered by friends, costars after his death at 53
Friends and former co-stars of Eric Dane are paying tribute to the actor after his death at the age of 53.
Dane died on Feb. 19, after revealing in April 2025 that he'd been battling the incurable degenerative neurological disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world," a representative for Dane said in a statement to ABC News.
"Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always," the statement continued. "Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time."
As recently as December, Dane said on a panel that he hoped to continue acting in roles involving ALS, saying, "It's imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can, because I don't feel like my life is about me anymore."
Actor Ashton Kutcher, a friend of Dane's, was among the first to publicly pay tribute to the late "Grey's Anatomy" star, writing on X, "The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane. We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS."
Dane's "Grey's Anatomy" costar Patrick Dempsey remembered his friend -- who portrayed Dr. Mark Sloan on the show -- during a Feb. 20 appearance on a radio show, saying in part, "He was the funniest man. He was such a joy to work with. And I just want to remember him in that spirit because anytime he was on set, he brought so much fun to it. He had a great sense of humor ... we got along instantly."
"Grey's Anatomy" creator and showrunner Shonda Rhimes also paid tribute to Dane, writing on Instagram, "Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey's Anatomy families. He was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the world. We are grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship and humanity he shared with us for so many years. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his work."
In addition to "Grey's Anatomy," Dane also starred in shows including "Charmed," "Euphoria" and "Countdown" as well as films including "Marley & Me" and "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," according to his IMDb biography.
Alyssa Milano, who costarred with Dane on "Charmed," shared photos of Dane on Instagram, writing, "I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective. He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard. And when it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren’t present. You could see it in the way his voice changed when he said their names. A breathtakingly beautiful family."
Milano continued, "The spark. The mischief. The tenderness he kept guarded but never totally hidden. He convinced me to get my pixie cut and my nose piercing. He also was with me on the walk when we found Lucy, my beloved rescue chihuahua. He called me 'Milano,' as if it was the only part of my name that mattered. My heart is with the people who were lucky enough to be his home."
Journalist Maria Shriver, whose publishing imprint published Dane's memoir, also paid tribute, writing on Instagram, "What a tragedy. He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis. He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS."
I Am ALS, an advocacy group Dane worked with, shared a statement after the actor's death, saying, "Eric brought humility, humor, and visibility to ALS and reminded the world that progress is possible when we refuse to remain silent."
Born on Nov. 9, 1972, in San Francisco, Dane caught the acting bug in high school and made his television debut in a 1991 episode of "Saved by the Bell."
Dane is survived by his two daughters, whom he shares with the actress Rebecca Gayheart.
Gayheart and Dane married in October 2004. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018 but later requested to dismiss that petition in March 2025, a month before Dane went public with his ALS diagnosis.
