Dane played heartthrob Dr. on Grey’s Anatomy. Mark Sloan, also known as “McSteamy”. Image: www.imago-images.de
02/20/2026, 06:4902/20/2026, 09:05
The US actor Eric Dane, who became famous for the series “Grey’s Anatomy”, has died, according to consistent media reports. “He spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his beloved wife and his two wonderful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were his everything,” the New York Times quoted a statement from Dane’s spokeswoman, Melissa Bank, as saying. The Washington Post also quoted from the statement.
It was only in April 2025 that the actor announced that he had the incurable disease ALS. He was 53 years old.
Dane gained worldwide fame with his role in the hospital series “Grey’s Anatomy”. He played the surgeon and heartthrob Dr. Mark Sloan – also known as “McSteamy”. After six years on “Grey’s Anatomy,” he took on the lead role of a Navy captain in the apocalyptic series “The Last Ship.” From 2019 he was in front of the camera for the HBO production “Euphoria”.
Dane at a promotional event for “Euphoria” in Los Angeles in 2022.Image: keystone
Dane also appeared in several feature films, including “X-Men: The Last Stand”, “Marley & Me”, “Valentine’s Day” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”. His career came to a sudden end due to illness.
The disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects the central and peripheral nervous system. This causes nerves to be destroyed, causing problems with swallowing, breathing and speaking, muscle loss and paralysis, which ultimately leads to death. (pre/sda)