\u2018Being his friend was a gift\u2019<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Tributes have been flooding in for Euphoria and Grey\u2019s Anatomy star Eric Dane<\/span><\/span> after he died aged 53.<\/p>\n The actor died on Thursday afternoon, his representatives confirmed. He passed away less than a year after revealing he had been diagnosed with ALS, a form of motor neurone disease.<\/p>\n Dane was best known for playing Dr Mark \u201cMcSteamy\u201d Sloan in Grey\u2019s Anatomy,<\/span><\/span> and Cal Jacobs in Euphoria<\/span><\/span>. His death came almost exactly 20 years after he made his debut on Grey\u2019s Anatomy.<\/p>\n Euphoria creator Sam Levinson<\/span><\/span> said he was \u201cheartbroken\u201d by the loss of his friend and collaborator. He told Variety<\/a>: \u201cWorking with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n Dane\u2019s former Grey\u2019s Anatomy co-star Patrick Dempsey<\/span><\/span> shared details of the actor\u2019s final days during an interview on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n ABC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI was corresponding with him, we were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago,\u201d Dempsey said. \u201cSome friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak. He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was the funniest man. He was such a joy to work with, and I want to just remember him in that spirit, because any time he was on set he brought so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement to People<\/a>, Dane\u2019s family said: \u201cWith heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world.\u201d<\/p>\n Several co-stars also shared tributes on social media. Kim Raver<\/span><\/span>, who played Dane\u2019s on-screen wife in Grey\u2019s Anatomy, described him as \u201ca light\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Grey\u2019s,\u201d she wrote on Instagram. \u201cHe\u2019d get this twinkle in his eye and, with a mischievous look, deliver a line that would floor you. You will be missed.\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin McKidd<\/span><\/span> and Sarah Drew<\/span><\/span> also posted brief tributes, while Nina Dobrev<\/span><\/span> remembered him as \u201cwarm, generous, prepared, and so passionate\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease,\u201d she wrote. \u201cMay his memory inspire more research, awareness and progress toward a cure.\u201d<\/p>\n HBO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dane had already completed filming for the upcoming season of Euphoria before his death. He will appear posthumously as Cal Jacobs, the father of Jacob Elordi<\/span><\/span>\u2019s Nate.<\/p>\n While details of his role are still unknown, he is expected to feature in scenes tied to Nate\u2019s storyline with Cassie, played by Sydney Sweeney<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n In a joint statement, HBO and the official Euphoria account said: \u201cWe are deeply saddened by the news of Eric Dane\u2019s passing. He was incredibly talented, and HBO was fortunate to have worked with him on three seasons of Euphoria. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n Dane is survived by his daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine, and his wife, Rebecca Gayheart<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n For more like this, <\/i>like The Tab on Facebook<\/a><\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/p>\n Featured image credit: Matt Baron\/BEI\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n<\/blockquote>\n
Will Eric Dane appear in the next season of Euphoria?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.thetab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20105754\/Screenshot-2026-02-20-at-10.57.38.png\")
<\/p>\n