Eric Dane, the celebrated actor best known for his roles on \u201cGrey\u2019s Anatomy\u201d and \u201cEuphoria\u201d<\/a> and who later in life became an advocate for ALS awareness, died Thursday. He was 53.<\/p>\n His representatives said Dane died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known also as Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease, less than a year after he announced his diagnosis.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe 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,\u201d said a statement that requested privacy for his family. \u201cThroughout 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. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he\u2019s received.\u201d<\/p>\n Dane developed a devoted fanbase when his big break arrived in the mid-2000s: He was cast as Dr. Mark Sloan, aka McSteamy, on the ABC medical drama \u201cGrey\u2019s Anatomy,\u201d a role he would play from 2006 until 2012 and reprise in 2021.<\/p>\n Although his character was killed off on the show after a plane crash, Dane\u2019s character left an indelible mark on the still-running show: Seattle Grace Hospital became Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.<\/p>\n In 2019, he did a complete 180 from the charming McSteamy and became the troubled Cal Jacobs in HBO\u2019s provocative drama \u201cEuphoria,\u201d a role he continued in up until his death.<\/p>\n Dane also starred as Tom Chandler, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer at sea after a global catastrophe wiped out most of the world\u2019s population, in the TNT drama \u201cThe Last Ship.\u201d In 2017, production was halted as Dane battled depression.<\/a><\/p>\n In April 2025, Dane announced he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells controlling muscles throughout the body.<\/p>\n ALS gradually destroys the nerve cells and connections needed to walk, talk, speak and breathe. Most patients die within three to five years of a diagnosis.<\/p>\n