Tributes pour in for the late Eric Dane

Fans, colleagues and fellow stars have been flooding social media with tributes to the late Grey’s Anatomy star, Eric Dane, who passed away at the age of 53 on Thursday.

Dane was best known for his role as a charismatic plastic surgeon, Dr Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on the hit medical drama. Dane was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

The California-born actor publicly shared his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and spent his final months working on raising funds and awareness about the motor neuron disease (MND).

Dane was open about his personal struggles, including battles with depression and substance abuse.

He spoke candidly about the pressures of fame and mental health, which many saw as a sign of self-awareness and resilience.

In one of his interviews, Dane opened up about his battle with ALS and how the diagnosis changed his perspective on life.

“I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand, and I didn’t really think anything of it. At the time, I thought maybe I’d been texting too much, or my hand was fatigued.  However, a few weeks later, I noticed that it had worsened slightly. So I went and saw a hand specialist  who sent me to another hand specialist,” he said.

” I went and saw a neurologist,  and the neurologist sent me to another neurologist and said, ‘ This is way above my pay grade. I will never forget those three letters. It’s on me the second I wake up. It’s not a dream.”

One of his former Grey’s Anatomy co-stars, Patrick Dempsey, also paid tribute, saying he has lost a great friend.

Patrick, who starred alongside Eric Dane on Grey’s Anatomy for six seasons, also shared insight into the late Euphoria actor’s final moments before his passing.

“I just woke up this morning, and I was very sad to read the news,” Patrick said. “It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children. I was corresponding with him, we were texting. So I spoke to him about a week ago.”

Dane also starred in a number of films and television series, including the hit show Charmed, as well as movies such as Valentine’s Day and Bad Boys.

Creator of Euphoria, Sam Levinson, expressed on social media that he was heartbroken over Dane’s passing. Dane had played the role of Cal Jacobs on the acclaimed series.

Grey’s Anatomy is expected to pay tribute to Eric Dane in the upcoming episode next week when Grey’s returns after a break (Deadline). #GreysAnatomy

Today marks 20 years from his first appearance as Mark Sloan in the series💔 pic.twitter.com/6qUvlvrfv1

— Grey’s Anatomy News (@GreysTvNews) February 20, 2026

i just found out about eric dane pic.twitter.com/GScBhC68Jx

— poupy 🦉 (@xnamelessowl) February 20, 2026

NOT ERIC DANE 😭😭😭😭

— sabrina mami ☻ (@sabrinaxcr) February 20, 2026

Now I’m going to watch Euphoria 3 for Eric Dane https://t.co/YN8wX4lits

— Pat (@eshpatti) February 20, 2026

Now I feel like I have to watch Greys Anatomy. I knew Eric Dane as captain tom chandler from the last ship😭

— deuce the kid (@Deuce_716) February 20, 2026

ALS that took Eric Dane is a horrendous disease. My sons wife’s mother just died of this….Spent 4 months being told it was Lyme disease. …made it about a year and half.

— American Dream’n ℛℒℋ @_Jrlh_ (@_Jrlh_) February 20, 2026

My heart broke this morning in ways I didn’t think it could, I grieved Mark Sloan’s death on Grey’s anatomy and now I am grieving the amazing incredible actor who played our beloved Mcsteamy in real life 😭😭😭😭

Eric Dane Rest In Paradise 🤍 pic.twitter.com/YtT7eVMVJ9

— Danni ×͜× 💙 ❯❯❯❯ (@ForeverLouis_28) February 20, 2026