Eric Dane, the American actor widely recognized for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan—nicknamed “McSteamy”—on the hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, and for portraying Cal Jacobs in the series Euphoria, has died at the age of 53.
His family confirmed the news to People magazine, revealing that Dane passed away on February 19 after a courageous struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He had been diagnosed with the condition in 2025.
In a statement, his family said the actor spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his devoted wife, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom they described as the center of his world. They noted that throughout his battle with ALS, Dane had become a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same challenge. His family expressed that he would be deeply missed and remembered with love, and requested privacy during their time of mourning.
Getty Images
Born on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, California, Dane began his acting career in the 1990s with appearances on television series, but his breakthrough came in 2006 with Grey’s Anatomy. As Dr. Mark Sloan, he became an iconic figure in the series, known for his charm and on-screen charisma.
During his time on the show, Dane also appeared in major films including X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, and Burlesque. Following his departure from Grey’s Anatomy, he continued to take on leading roles, notably in the drama series The Last Ship.
In 2019, he joined the cast of Euphoria as Cal Jacobs, the strict father of the character Nate, a role he reprised in the second season and was set to appear in the third and final season. Dane remained active in the industry until recently, with his last performance airing last fall in the series Brilliant Minds, where he played a firefighter living with ALS.
