Eric Dane, the actor widely recognized for his roles as Dr. Mark Sloan — affectionately dubbed “McSteamy” — on Grey’s Anatomy and as Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, has died at the age of 53. His family confirmed that he passed away on February 19 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Dane publicly shared his diagnosis in 2025 and spent his final months advocating for ALS awareness and research.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said in a statement. “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. Throughout 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.”
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane discovered acting in high school after initially focusing on athletics. Following graduation, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment, landing early guest roles on series including Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne and Married… with Children.
He gained additional visibility with a recurring role on Gideon’s Crossing and later joined Charmed for two seasons.
Dane’s breakout moment came in 2006 when he guest-starred as Dr. Mark Sloan during Season 2 of Grey’s Anatomy. The character’s popularity quickly turned the appearance into a series regular role beginning in Season 3. Sloan became one of the show’s most talked-about figures, known for his charm, complicated romantic entanglements and emotional depth. Dane remained on the series through Season 8, later returning for guest appearances, including a notable Season 17 cameo nearly two decades after his debut.
Throughout the 2010s, Dane expanded his résumé with roles in film and television. He starred as Admiral Tom Chandler in The Last Ship from 2014 to 2019 and appeared in films such as Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day and Burlesque.
In 2019, he introduced audiences to a markedly different role as Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria, portraying a deeply conflicted father navigating secrets and identity. His performance across the show’s first two seasons added another layer to his career, demonstrating a willingness to embrace complex and morally ambiguous characters.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dane was candid about personal challenges, including struggles with addiction and depression earlier in his life. After revealing his ALS diagnosis, he focused much of his public energy on advocacy, working to raise awareness and support for those affected by the disease.
Eric Dane is survived by his two daughters.
His legacy spans decades of television and film — from becoming a defining presence in one of network television’s most popular medical dramas to reshaping himself for a new generation of viewers on premium cable. He leaves behind a body of work that reflects both range and resilience.