Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane dies at 53 after ALS diagnosis, having spent final months raising awareness

Eric Dane, the actor best known for his roles on Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at 53, less than a year after publicly revealing he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family said he spent his final months raising funds and awareness for the disease and was surrounded by loved ones in his last days.

What happened and what’s new

Eric Dane shared his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and spent his final months engaged in advocacy for the most common form of motor neurone disease., his family said he passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS and that he spent his final days surrounded by friends, his wife Rebecca Gayheart, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, who they described as the center of his world.

Dane rose to mainstream recognition on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy, where he played plastic surgeon Mark Sloan, a role that began with a guest appearance in the show's second season before expanding into a long-running presence. He was also widely known for portraying Cal Jacobs on the teen drama Euphoria. His career included early television work beginning with a debut in 1993 and roles across series and films, including parts on Charmed, The Last Ship, and appearances in films such as Marley & Me, Valentine's Day and Burlesque.

Behind the headline: career, advocacy and reactions

Across his final months Dane turned his public profile toward ALS awareness and fundraising, using his platform to draw attention to a disease that progressively affects motor neurons and currently has no cure. That shift to advocacy formed a notable part of his final public chapter.

Colleagues and co-stars paid tribute following his death. Cast members from the medical drama acknowledged his presence on set as a source of humor, professionalism and talent, and other collaborators described working with him as an honor. One creative lead on the teen drama where he also starred said they were heartbroken by the loss. Responses emphasized both his skill as an actor and his efforts to spotlight ALS in his final months.

Personal details included by his family in their statement noted his devotion to his daughters and gratitude for the support of fans during his illness. Another public detail in the record is that a memoir was scheduled for publication later this year.

What we still don’t know

• Exact calendar date of Eric Dane's passing beyond the description of "Thursday afternoon. "
• Specifics of any public memorial or funeral arrangements.
• Detailed timeline of his illness progression and the precise scope of his recent fundraising activity, including totals or beneficiary organizations.
• Full contents and release timing for the memoir noted as due later this year.
• Any longer-term plans his family may have announced for sustaining his advocacy work.

What happens next

• Family announces memorial details and potential charitable preferences — trigger: family statement setting dates and beneficiaries.
• Increased public attention and donations to ALS research and support groups following renewed visibility from his advocacy — trigger: coordinated fundraising appeals or memorial events.
• Publication of his planned memoir later this year, which may further document his diagnosis and advocacy efforts — trigger: publisher or family confirmation of release schedule and excerpts.
• Cast and creative teams from his prominent series mount commemorations or tribute projects — trigger: official statements or memorial segments tied to those productions.

Why it matters

Dane's death brings renewed focus to ALS, a progressive and currently incurable motor neurone disease for which treatment centers on symptom management. His decision to publicly disclose his diagnosis and actively fundraise in the months before his death amplified attention to the condition and may prompt additional support for research and patient services. For audiences, his passing closes the final chapter on a career that intersected with two widely watched television series and a number of film roles, and for colleagues it is a reminder of the personal losses that can underlie public advocacy.

In the near term, observers and stakeholders will be watching for memorial arrangements, any details from the forthcoming memoir, and whether the family or collaborators establish ongoing initiatives in his name to continue the awareness and fundraising work he pursued while ill.