{"id":224081,"date":"2026-02-20T22:28:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T22:28:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/greys-anatomy-cast-reacts-to-eric-danes-death-at-age-53-after-als-battle\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T22:28:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T22:28:56","slug":"greys-anatomy-cast-reacts-to-eric-danes-death-at-age-53-after-als-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/greys-anatomy-cast-reacts-to-eric-danes-death-at-age-53-after-als-battle\/","title":{"rendered":"Grey’s Anatomy Cast Reacts to Eric Dane\u2019s Death at Age 53 After ALS Battle"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

The Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/em><\/a> cast and crew are mourning the loss of their costar Eric Dane<\/strong><\/a> following his death at age 53.<\/p>\n

The actor\u2019s family confirmed on Thursday, February 19, that Dane died following a battle with ALS.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHe 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,\u201d the statement read. \u201cThroughout 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement concluded: \u201cEric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he\u2019s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before his death, Dane became a household name after playing Dr. Mark Sloan on ABC\u2019s hit medical drama. The actor appeared on the show from 2006 to 2012 before returning for a surprise appearance in 2021.<\/p>\n

Dane later starred on HBO\u2019s Euphoria<\/em>, in which he played Jacob Elordi<\/strong>\u2018s onscreen father. He confirmed his ALS diagnosis shortly before filming began on season 3. (He also starred on Countdown<\/em> and made a guest appearance on Brilliant Minds<\/em> while battling the disease.)<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been diagnosed with ALS,\u201d he said in an April 2025 statement. \u201cI am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter. I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria<\/em> next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

More recently, Dane said he felt \u201cangry\u201d about dealing with the condition. \u201cVery. I\u2019m angry because my father was taken from me when I was young. And now there\u2019s a very good chance that I\u2019ll be taken from my girls when they\u2019re very young,\u201d he explained on Good Morning America<\/em> in June 2025, referring to his daughters with Rebecca Gayheart<\/strong>. \u201cI mean, I really, at the end of the day, all I want is to just spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dane credited his neurologist for giving him hope about slowing the progression of the disease.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have thought I would have been the hide under the sheets kind of person, but that\u2019s not been the case,\u201d Dane told Extra<\/em> about Dr. Merit Cudkowicz<\/strong> in July 2025. \u201cMy attitude and spirit has been pretty buoyant. I am just kind of riding it. Not every day has been great, but the net is, I have a pretty good life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keep scrolling for the Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/em> cast and crew\u2019s<\/a> heartfelt tributes to their late costar:\n<\/p>\n

Patrick Dempsey<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>
ABC \/ courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI just woke up this morning and it was very sad to read the news. It\u2019s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children,\u201d Dempsey, 60, said on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show<\/em> on Virgin Radio U.K. on Friday, February 20. \u201cI was corresponding with him, we were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago, and some friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak. He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was the funniest man \u2014 he was such a joy to work with, and I want to just remember him in that spirit, because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it,\u201d he added. \u201cHe had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with. We got along instantly. First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on, looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin McKidd<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\"GREY'S<\/div>
Eric McCandless \/ \u00a9 ABC \/ Courtesy: Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kevin McKidd<\/strong>, who has portrayed Dr. Owen Hunt on the medical drama since 2008, shared a photo of Eric Dane in character as McSteamy via his Instagram Stories,<\/a> writing, \u201cRest in peace buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Drew<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Echoing the sentiment, Sarah Drew<\/strong>, who played Dr. April Kepner from 2009 to 2022, reshared the same image of Eric Dane that Kevin McKidd posted.<\/p>\n

Captioning the Instagram Stories post<\/a>, Drew wrote, \u201cRest in peace,\u201d and added three crying emojis.<\/p>\n

Krista Vernoff<\/h2>\n
\n
\"GettyImages-93763708-Greys-Anatomy-Cast-Reacts-to-Eric-Dane-Death-at-Age-53-After-ALS-Battle.jpg\"<\/div>
(Photo by Gale Adler\/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/em> showrunner Krista Vernoff<\/strong> shared a text exchange<\/a> with Eric Dane accompanied by a touching caption.<\/p>\n

The messages were sent when Vernoff asked Dane to return to his famous role as Mark \u201cMcSteamy\u201d Sloan for a dream sequence in Grey\u2019s<\/em> season 17 alongside love interest Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh<\/strong>). Fan favorites Lexie and McSteamy had been killed off in previous seasons.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
\"Eric<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t
\n Related: <\/span>Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart’s Relationship Timeline<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\tEric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart\u00a0had been candid about their relationship ups and downs over the years before his death. The pair tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2004 and welcomed their first child, daughter Billie, in March 2010. Billie became a big sister the following year when the pair\u2019s second daughter, Georgia, was born. [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI called Eric and he answered immediately,\u201d Vernoff reflected in the caption. \u201cI said, \u2018Will you come back? I know it\u2019s a pandemic and shooting is a nightmare but we\u2019re gonna do it on the beach and keep our social distance because the world needs joy and Mark and Lexie are joy.\u2019 He said where and when. When I came to set that day, he said, we\u2019re breaking the rules and hugging now right?\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued, \u201cThe thing I will remember most about Eric Dane are his hugs. The best hugs. Oh my friend. I wish you peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kim Raver<\/h2>\n

\u201cEric was a light. You\u2019d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Grey\u2019s<\/em> as well as when he was with Rebecca and the girls,\u201d Kim Raver<\/strong> shared via Instagram<\/a>. \u201cDuring filming he\u2019d 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! You will be missed \ud83e\udd0d.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy love and thoughts go out to Rebecca and their girls. We love you,\u201d Raver added.<\/p>\n

James Pickens Jr.<\/h2>\n

\u201cRest in peace \ud83d\ude4f,\u201d James Pickens Jr.<\/strong>, who plays Richard Webber, captioned an Instagram Stories pic of Dane as Mark Sloan.<\/p>\n

Shonda Rhimes<\/h2>\n
\n
\"GettyImages-91232017-Greys-Anatomy-Cast-Reacts-to-Eric-Dane-Death-at-Age-53-After-ALS-Battle.jpg\"<\/div>
(Bob D\u2019Amico\/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cEric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey\u2019s Anatomy families,\u201d creator Shonda Rhimes said in a statement.\u201dHe was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued: \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camilla Luddington<\/h2>\n

Camilla Luddington, who joined\u00a0Grey\u2019s Anatomy\u00a0<\/em>in season 9 after Eric Dane\u2019s exit, penned her own tribute after his death.<\/p>\n

\u201cI may not have had the change to work with Eric Dane, but I walk the halls with his character\u2019s name on them every week,\u201d she wrote via her Instagram Stories. \u201cEric\u2019s impact on our show and its fan is irrefutable. An unforgettable talent who will never be forgotten. My heart is with his family. ALS needs more funding, more research and more urgency. I\u2019m sharing a link below to support.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jessica Capshaw<\/h2>\n

Jessica Capshaw, who played Dr. Arizona Robbins on the medical drama, shared an emotional tribute to her late costar.<\/p>\n

\n
\n