Actor Eric Dane Dies at 53
Actor Eric Dane, known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy,” has died at the age of 53. Dane had been battling ALS, and his openness about the diagnosis has been credited with raising public awareness of the disease.
- Dane first noticed symptoms in late 2023, which began as weakness in his right hand; he was officially diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease nine months later. - In addition to his role on "Grey's Anatomy," he starred as Captain Tom Chandler on TNT's "The Last Ship" (2014-2018) and as Cal Jacobs in the HBO series "Euphoria." - The ALS Network honored him as its Advocate of the Year in September 2025 for his work to advance research and support for those affected by the disease. - The disease progressed rapidly; by June 2025 he had lost the use of his right arm, and by October 2025 he was using a wheelchair full-time. - A memoir titled "Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments" is scheduled for release in 2026 through Maria Shriver's publishing imprint. - In one of his final acting roles, he guest-starred as a firefighter struggling with an ALS diagnosis on the NBC show "Brilliant Minds" in November 2025. - Dane is survived by his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia. - His final interview is part of a Netflix series called "Famous Last Words," which was filmed with the agreement that it would only air after his death.
