Veteran actor Eric Dane has died at the age of 53, his family confirmed. The news comes nearly one year after the Hollywood star publicly shared that he was living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and terminal neurological disease.
Dane passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, surrounded by close friends and his family, including his devoted wife and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia. His family released a statement saying he fought his illness with courage and became a passionate advocate for awareness and research into ALS. They asked for privacy as they navigate this difficult time.
Eric Dane rose to global fame for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan — affectionately nicknamed “McSteamy” — on the long-running hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, where his charm and charisma won him legions of fans.
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane’s path to acting began after high school when he discovered a passion for the craft. He moved to Los Angeles and worked his way into guest roles on television before landing parts that would define his career. Over the years, Dane also appeared in shows such as Charmed, The Last Ship and the acclaimed series Euphoria, where he portrayed complex characters with depth and intensity.
The actor first revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, explaining that he was living with the degenerative disease and was thankful for the support of his family. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, gradually robs individuals of muscle control and movement. His announcement brought widespread attention to the condition and moved many to learn more about it.