Eric Dane, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Euphoria’ star, dies at 53 after ALS battle
Actor Eric Dane, best known as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and later as Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, died Feb. 19 in Los Angeles. He was 53.
His family said he died after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. A death certificate later listed respiratory failure as the immediate cause, with ALS as the underlying condition. He had publicly announced the diagnosis in April 2025.
“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,” the family said, asking for privacy.
Dane was born Nov. 9, 1972, in San Francisco and built a career through 1990s television roles before Grey’s Anatomy made him a household name in 2006. He later starred in The Last Ship and appeared in films including X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me and Bad Boys: Ride or Die. On Euphoria, he played a troubled father in a performance that drew new critical attention.
After his diagnosis, Dane continued working when he could and became a visible advocate for ALS research and patient access to care. He spoke in Washington about insurance delays, joined advocacy groups, and received the ALS Network’s Advocate of the Year award in 2025. He said he felt compelled to share the illness because “I don’t feel like my life is about me anymore.”
ALS is a progressive disease that attacks motor neurons and typically leads to loss of movement, speech and breathing. There is no cure. Dane is survived by his wife, actor Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters.
