The Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/i><\/span><\/a> cast had Eric Dane<\/span><\/a><\/strong>\u2019s back during his ALS battle before his death in February 2026.<\/p>\n After appearing in more than 140 episodes of the ABC drama as Dr. Mark Sloan, Dane said goodbye to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in 2012.<\/p>\n But ever since the actor announced his ALS diagnosis<\/span><\/a> in April 2025, many of Dane\u2019s Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/i> costars including Ellen Pompeo<\/strong><\/a> and Patrick Dempsey<\/span><\/a><\/strong> have shared support and encouragement to the actor.<\/p>\n \u201cI spoke to him a few weeks ago. I\u2019ve been texting with him,\u201d Dempsey<\/span> told Parade<\/i><\/span><\/a> in January 2026. \u201cWe were trying to get him in [Memory of a Killer<\/i>] but unfortunately, the progression of his disease made it virtually impossible. But I was happy to see that he was here in Toronto working on, I think, another medical drama [Brilliant Minds<\/i>].\u201d<\/p>\n Although Dane had tried to limit his number of appearances because of his health, the actor wanted to share his story in hopes that it raises awareness about the progressive neurodegenerative disease.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, I have a family at home and they\u2019re the first priority<\/span><\/a>,\u201d Dane shared in December 2025 during a virtual I AM ALS<\/span><\/a> event. \u201cBut this is such a big deal to me to make sure that people are aware of what ALS is and what it\u2019s about and, more importantly, what we can do to combat it and improve the landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n Dane died two months later at age 53.<\/p>\n Keep reading to see how Dane\u2019s Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/i> family supported the actor after his diagnosis:<\/p>\n Ellen Pompeo<\/strong> reflected on working with Eric Dane during season 2 of Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/em> in a pretaped message shared at the ALS Network Champions for Cures & Care Gala attendees in January 2026. (Dane was expected to attend the event but dropped out at the last minute.)<\/p>\n \u201cI remember when he came in as McSteamy and us having instant electric chemistry, and I immediately just fell in love with him,\u201d Pompeo said.<\/p>\n The actress then recalled learning about Dane\u2019s ALS battle. \u201cAs soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him, and I said, \u2018I\u2019m here if you want to speak,’\u201d Pompeo said. \u201cAnd my phone rang 30 seconds later.\u201d<\/p>\n She remembered telling Dane on that phone call that she would be there to help him with \u201cwhatever you need, however I can help. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really proud of you,\u201d Pompeo continued in her video. \u201cI love you so much and I am honored to get to speak about you today.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Kate Walsh<\/strong> hasn\u2019t been in touch with Eric Dane, she has \u201creached out and sent my love and support and strength.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so heartbreaking. He\u2019s such a beautiful person and such an incredible man, and I\u2019ve had other friends that have battled with this disease, and it\u2019s just horrific,\u201d she told Variety<\/i><\/span><\/a> in January 2026. \u201cSo my heart goes out to him. I keep him, his family, his girls, in my prayers.<\/p>\n Walsh acknowledged that her Grey<\/i>\u2019s character, Addison, will forever be intertwined with Mark.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s so heartbreaking to me,\u201d she added. \u201cSo emotional.\u201d<\/p>\n Patrick Dempsey<\/strong> offered a glimpse into Eric Dane\u2019s mindset as he navigates ALS.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very hard for him, but I do try to stay in touch and see how he\u2019s doing,\u201d Dempsey shared with Parade<\/i> in January 2026. \u201cI think he\u2019s been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease. He\u2019s such a wonderful human being. He has such a great sense of humor, and he\u2019s so intelligent. I\u2019ve always enjoyed working and being around Eric.\u201d<\/p>\n Dempsey added that the situation is \u201cheartbreaking\u201d and it\u2019s impossible not to empathize.<\/p>\n \u201cYou feel for them when you see this terrible disease and how quickly it attacks the body,\u201d he explained. \u201cBut he\u2019s bringing a lot of light to that, and he\u2019s using his platform in a positive way. I wish him the best.\u201d<\/p>\n OG Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/i> actress Chandra Wilson<\/strong> still laughs when recalling an unforgettable scene in season 3 when Eric Dane earned the nickname of Dr. McSteamy after stepping out of a shower.<\/p>\n \u201cAgreeing to stand there in the towel and the steam,\u201d Wilson recalled to Access Hollywood<\/i><\/span><\/a> in October 2025. \u201cEverybody doesn\u2019t agree to do it and he was down for it.\u201d<\/p>\n Memorable scenes aside, Wilson pointed out that the cast stands with Dane during his health struggle.<\/p>\n \u201cThe main thing that people talk about around here is that sense of family,\u201d she shared. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be that no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n During season 6 of Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/i>, Kim Raver<\/strong> and Eric Dane\u2019s characters found themselves in a love story. The scenes are ones Raver can\u2019t forget.<\/p>\nEllen Pompeo<\/h2>\n
\n Ellen Pompeo, Eric Dane.<\/span> Scott Garfield\/ABC\/Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKate Walsh<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n Eric Dane, Kate Walsh, T.R. Knight, Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Patrick Dempsey, Isaiah Washington, Justin Chambers, James Pickens Jr., Sara Ramirez<\/span> Bob D’Amico \/ ABC \/ Courtesy: Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPatrick Dempsey<\/b><\/h2>\n
Chandra Wilson<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Chandra Wilson, Randy Skylar, James Pickens JR., Jason Sklar<\/span> Vivian Zink \/ ABC \/ Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKim Raver<\/b><\/h2>\n