Eric Dane, the actor who became a household name through his unforgettable performances in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at the age of 53.

Dane died on February 19, 2026, following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. His family confirmed his death, saying that he spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his wife and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia.

For millions of television viewers, however, Eric Dane will always be remembered as Dr. Mark Sloan — the charismatic plastic surgeon known affectionately as “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy.

From Northern California to Hollywood

Born on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, California, Dane eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. His early career included guest appearances on television programs such as Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, Married… with Children and Charmed. He also appeared in films, including X-Men: The Last Stand.

His breakthrough came in the mid-2000s.

In 2006, Dane joined Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan, a confident and charismatic plastic surgeon. What began as a guest appearance developed into one of the show’s most memorable recurring characters, and Dane eventually became a series regular.

The character that made him famous

Mark Sloan quickly became one of the most recognizable characters in Grey’s Anatomy. Fans knew him as “McSteamy,” a nickname that became closely associated with Dane himself.

But the character was more than his appearance and confidence. Over the course of the series, viewers saw Mark experience complicated relationships, professional challenges, friendship and fatherhood.

His storyline with Lexie Grey became one of the show’s most emotional relationships. Mark’s eventual death following a devastating plane crash became one of the most memorable moments in the series.

Although Dane left Grey’s Anatomy in 2012, he later returned to the role in 2021. The character’s legacy remained so significant that the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital was eventually renamed Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

A completely different Eric Dane

After Grey’s Anatomy, Dane took on another major television role that demonstrated just how different he could be as an actor.

From 2014 through 2018, he starred as Captain Tom Chandler in TNT’s The Last Ship, portraying a U.S. Navy officer trying to lead his crew through a global catastrophe.

Then came another dramatic transformation.

In 2019, Dane joined HBO’s Euphoria as Cal Jacobs, the troubled father of Nate Jacobs. The role was dramatically different from Mark Sloan. Instead of the charming and confident doctor audiences had become accustomed to seeing, Dane portrayed a deeply complicated and troubled character.

The performance introduced him to another generation of viewers and showed a much darker side of his acting ability. He remained part of Euphoria through the show’s later seasons.

His ALS diagnosis

In April 2025, Dane publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS.

The diagnosis came after he had noticed weakness in his right hand. He initially thought the problem could have been related to something as ordinary as excessive texting, but the weakness continued. After seeing doctors, specialists and neurologists, he was eventually diagnosed with ALS.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that damages motor neurons — the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. As the disease progresses, people can experience increasing difficulty with movement, speaking, swallowing and breathing.

Dane’s diagnosis changed the final chapter of his life, but he also chose to speak publicly about the disease.

Rather than keeping his diagnosis entirely private, he used his public platform to raise awareness about ALS and the need for research.

In June 2025, he appeared at a Washington news conference and spoke publicly about living with the disease. Later that year, the ALS Network recognized him with its Advocate of the Year award for his efforts to raise awareness and support research.

His final months

Despite his illness, Dane continued working.

His final period was marked not only by his health struggles but also by his desire to leave something meaningful behind. A posthumously released interview for Netflix’s Famous Last Words offered viewers another opportunity to hear Dane reflect on his life and experiences. The interview had been filmed in November 2025, several months before his death.

He also worked on a memoir titled Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, which is scheduled for publication later in 2026. The book is expected to reflect on important moments throughout his life, including his acting career, becoming a father and learning that he had ALS.

His family

Away from the cameras, Dane was a father to two daughters, Billie and Georgia, with actress Rebecca Gayheart.

Dane and Gayheart married in 2004. Although they separated and later lived separately, they remained connected as a family and co-parents. Gayheart had previously spoken publicly about the complicated nature of their relationship and the enduring familial bond between them.

According to the family’s statement following Dane’s death, his daughters were at the center of his world during his final days.

A lasting legacy

Eric Dane’s career lasted decades, but two characters will likely define his television legacy: Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria.

The contrast between those roles was remarkable. One made him an international television heartthrob, while the other allowed him to portray a darker and more complicated character.

His death at 53 came less than a year after he publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis.

For fans who grew up watching Grey’s Anatomy, he will be remembered as McSteamy. For a newer generation, he will be remembered as Cal Jacobs. And for those who followed his final year, his willingness to speak publicly about ALS gave his story another dimension beyond acting.

Eric Dane leaves behind his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, his family, friends, colleagues and millions of viewers who watched his work over the years.

His performances remain on screen, but the actor himself is gone — leaving behind a career that stretched from television guest roles in the 1990s to some of the most recognizable dramas of the 21st century.