A very respected actor from Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, Eric Dane, passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53 years old, just 10 months after announcing his diagnosis with ALS.
Eric is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, and close friends.
It was his family who shared the news through a statement where they said he died in the afternoon after fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Tragically, Eric took his last breath just 10 months after announcing his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in April 2025. Hence, it all happened much faster than anyone expected.
The statement read:
With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.
Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.
When he first told the public about having ALS, Eric spoke openly about what it felt like and how the condition was changing his life day by day. ALS affects the nerves that control muscles, so over time it makes moving, speaking, and even breathing harder.
He joined efforts to raise awareness and pushed for more research because he wanted to help others going through the same thing.
In one of his last public appearances, photos showed him using a wheelchair at the airport, which made it clear how much the disease had progressed.
Still, Eric stayed grateful for the support from fans and kept focusing on his family. His statement from the family mentioned that he spent his final days surrounded by his wife, their daughters, and close friends.
Those daughters were described as the center of his world, and it sounds like he held on to the love around him right until the end.
For those who followed his work, Eric first became really well-known playing Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy. People loved calling the character McSteamy because he had that confident charm and good looks that made him stand out on the show.
He brought a lot of energy to the role, and it helped make the series even more popular during those early seasons.
Later on, he took on the part of Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, showing a completely different side as a complicated father figure in that intense HBO drama.
Both roles let him display real range as an actor, from lighthearted moments to much heavier emotional scenes.
His work on screen will keep entertaining people for years, and the way he handled his illness showed real strength and heart.
Many fans and fellow actors have shared their sadness online, sending thoughts to his loved ones as they go through this painful time.
During this challenging time, we would extend our heartfelt condolences to Eric’s wife, daughters, friends, and extended family.
Rest Easy, Eric Dane!
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