By Deborah Nnamdi
Hollywood actor Eric Dane, widely known for his roles as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, has died at the age of 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
His family confirmed that the actor passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. In a statement announcing his death, they said, “With 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 center of his world.”
Dane revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with ALS, the most common form of motor neurone disease, a progressive condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Despite his health challenges, he continued working and remained active in film and television.
Born in San Francisco in 1972 to an architect father, Dane experienced tragedy early in life, losing his father to a gunshot wound when he was just seven years old. In later interviews, he spoke candidly about how the loss shaped his views on grief and parenting. He attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City and San Mateo High School in California, where he graduated. Though he was active in sports, his interest in acting was sparked after appearing in a school production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons.
Dane began his acting career with cameo roles, making his television debut in 1991 with an appearance on Saved by the Bell. Throughout the 1990s, he featured in several popular series, including The Wonder Years, Roseanne and Married… with Children. He later appeared in the cult series Charmed.
His film career included roles in X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me and Valentine’s Day.
However, Dane’s major breakthrough came in 2006 when he joined Grey’s Anatomy as the charismatic plastic surgeon Mark Sloan, nicknamed “McSteamy.” Originally introduced as a minor character, Sloan quickly became a fan favorite and was elevated to series regular. Dane portrayed the role from 2006 to 2012 and briefly reprised it in 2021.
After leaving Grey’s Anatomy, he starred as Captain Tom Chandler in the post-apocalyptic drama The Last Ship. In 2019, he took on the complex role of Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, earning renewed acclaim for his portrayal of a troubled and controversial father.
Beyond his on-screen success, Dane was open about his struggles with addiction and depression, as well as the pressures of maintaining privacy in the spotlight. Even as his health declined, he remained committed to his craft.
He is survived by his two daughters. Tributes have continued to pour in from fans and colleagues, remembering him as a talented actor whose decades-long career left a lasting mark on television and film.
