Eric Dane, TV Star and ALS Advocate, Dies at 53

Eric Dane, the actor best known for his role as Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and as Cal Jacobs on HBO's Euphoria, died on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53 following a public battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Dane had revealed his diagnosis in April 2025, and in the months that followed he became a visible advocate for patients and research, while continuing to speak candidly about the rapid progression of his illness.

Career and rise to prominence

Eric William Dane was born November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting after high school. He worked steadily through the 1990s with guest turns on popular series, and in the early 2000s he began landing more prominent television roles. His part as Jason Dean on Charmed helped set the stage for a breakthrough when he joined Grey's Anatomy in 2006 as Dr. Mark Sloan, a charismatic plastic surgeon whose combination of charm and vulnerability made him a fan favorite.

During and after Grey's Anatomy, Dane expanded his range with leading parts in television and film. He led TNT's The Last Ship as Captain Tom Chandler, played the complicated father Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, and took supporting roles in films including X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, and Valentine's Day. Across two decades he cultivated a reputation for playing characters who mixed confidence with bruised humanity, and he was often cited by colleagues for his steadiness and craft on set.

Notable roles and highlights

• Grey's Anatomy, as Dr. Mark Sloan, the role that brought him mainstream recognition and a devoted global fan base.
• The Last Ship, where he carried a serialized action-drama as a naval captain.
• Euphoria, as Cal Jacobs, a role that earned critical attention for its moral complexity.
• Feature films in commercial and ensemble projects, including X-Men: The Last Stand and Marley & Me.

Across his career he remained a frequent presence on television, and he navigated both genre and prestige work with equal facility.

Personal life and family

Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart on October 29, 2004. The couple had two daughters, Billie Beatrice, born March 3, 2010, and Georgia Geraldine, born December 28, 2011. The pair separated in 2018 and Gayheart filed for divorce, but in 2025 she moved to dismiss that petition, and the family publicly presented a united front while Dane dealt with his illness. Friends and family described their relationship in recent months as deeply committed to their children, with Gayheart and others playing central roles in his care and public advocacy.

Health struggle, public disclosure, and advocacy

Dane began noticing neurological symptoms well before he went public. By his June 2025 interview, he said he had experienced early signs more than a year earlier, and he was diagnosed in 2024, details he chose to share in 2025 to raise awareness and help others. In that interview he said, "I don't think this is the end of my story," and he spoke about losing function in his right arm, and later losing use of his left hand, as the disease progressed.

Rather than retreat, Dane used his platform to push for broader attention to ALS, the hurdles patients face with insurance and care, and the urgency of research. He spoke at public events about the realities of the disease, met with advocacy groups, and in September 2025 was named Advocate of the Year by the ALS Network. Organizers later honored him at a gala in January 2026, though he was unable to attend in person because of the physical realities of the disease.

"There's so much about it that's out of my control," he told interviewers, describing the sobering nature of the diagnosis and his determination to make his experience useful to others.

Struggles, controversies, and resilience

Dane's life and career included frank moments of difficulty. He entered treatment for prescription drug dependency in 2011 after an injury, and he publicly acknowledged struggles with depression that at times affected production schedules. In 2009 a private video involving Dane and others was published without the participants' consent, creating a public controversy that the actors later addressed.

Through those episodes, colleagues said Dane showed resilience and a willingness to confront mistakes and hardship. In the years before his illness became public, he continued to work, and he spoke openly about the ways therapy and family support helped him manage episodes of depression.

Reactions and legacy

News of Dane's death prompted an outpouring of memories from co‑stars, producers, and fans who credited him with bringing emotional nuance to roles that might otherwise have been played as surface charm. Colleagues recalled his work ethic, his quick humor, and his devotion as a father.

Industry figures and advocacy leaders noted that Dane's decision to go public with ALS changed the tenor of public conversation about the disease, moving it from private medical struggle to a platform for policy discussion and fundraising. His advocacy drew attention to patient care pathways and the need for accelerated research, and organizations said his voice helped destigmatize seeking care and asking for support.

Filmography snapshot

This table is a selective snapshot, highlighting the projects that most shaped public perceptions of Dane's range and presence on screen.

Final months and remembrance

In the months after his diagnosis became public, Dane continued to meet with researchers, advocate for patient care, and spend time with family. He participated in interviews and filmed material intended to raise awareness, and he recorded personal messages for his daughters and close family.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were frequently described in public statements as his center. Friends and colleagues emphasized his warmth, his willingness to share hard truths, and his determination to use whatever time he had to help others living with the same disease.

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Key dates:

• Born: November 9, 1972
• Married Rebecca Gayheart: October 29, 2004
• Public ALS disclosure: April 2025
• Died: February 19, 2026, age 53
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Multiple viewpoints and context

Fans and fellow actors remember Dane for on-screen charisma and for scenes that revealed a gentler, more vulnerable core. Medical and advocacy groups praised his candor for shining light on gaps in patient care and insurance access. Some observers noted that his celebrity could not erase the brutal realities of ALS, and they urged attention to research funding and improved clinical pathways for patients.

At the same time, Dane's life contained moments that sparked controversy, and he faced criticism and personal consequences for episodes that played out publicly. Over time, many who knew him emphasized his efforts to atone, to get help when needed, and to be present for his children.

What he leaves behind

Eric Dane's career spanned television and film in projects that reached large audiences, and his late-in-life advocacy reframed his public role from entertainer to witness and campaigner. His decision to speak about ALS publicly helped elevate a disease that affects thousands of people each year, and it prompted renewed calls for research and policy attention.

Whether remembered for a single memorable television character, for a series of complex performances, or for his last public work on behalf of people with ALS, Dane's legacy is one in which craft and courage intersect. He will be remembered by audiences, colleagues, and a community of advocates who say his voice moved the conversation forward.