The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Eric Dane, who passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the age of 53.
Beloved by millions as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and more recently as Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, Dane’s death follows a public and deeply personal 10 month battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
He died peacefully, surrounded by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, their daughters Billie and Georgia, and close friends.
His Final Battle: Living With ALS
ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that attacks motor neurons, the nerve cells that control muscle movement.
Dane publicly revealed his diagnosis in April 2025, after first noticing weakness in his right hand in early 2024. Over the following months,
he spoke openly about the disease’s toll, describing its daily reality as “horrible.”
Yet in his final year, he transformed his personal struggle into public advocacy.
“I don’t feel like my life is about me anymore,” he said during one of his last interviews, a statement that came to define his final chapter.
He lobbied for research funding, supported patient access legislation, and partnered with advocacy organizations including I AM ALS and the ALS Network. Just weeks before his passing, he was named to the 2026 TIME100 Health list for his advocacy work.
Last month, the ALS Network honored him as “Advocate of the Year.”
He was too ill to attend.
Understanding ALS
ALS affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. As those neurons deteriorate, muscles no longer receive signals to move.
The result is gradual muscle weakness, twitching, and eventual paralysis.
Early symptoms often seem minor:
- Clumsiness or difficulty with fine motor tasks
- Weakness in hands or legs
- Slurred speech
- Muscle cramps or twitching
Over time, the disease leads to total paralysis. Most patients eventually die from respiratory failure when the muscles that control breathing stop functioning.
One of the cruelest aspects of ALS is that cognitive function often remains intact. Patients typically remain fully aware as their bodies weaken.
There is currently no cure. The average life expectancy is two to five years after diagnosis, though some like physicist Stephen Hawking live much longer.
In 2026, treatments such as Riluzole and Edaravone can modestly slow progression, and legislation like the ACT for ALS has expanded funding and experimental treatment access. But the disease remains 100% fatal.
A Career That Spanned Decades
While many fans will forever associate Dane with the swagger and charm of Dr. Mark Sloan, his career stretched far beyond Seattle Grace Hospital.
On Grey’s Anatomy, he appeared for six seasons, and the hospital’s later name “Grey Sloan Memorial” ensured his character’s lasting legacy.
In a dramatic shift, he earned critical acclaim for portraying the troubled father Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, a role that revealed a darker and more complex range.
He also led the action series The Last Ship for five seasons as Captain Tom Chandler, proving his versatility as both romantic lead and commanding presence.
In a poignant twist, his final television appearance in late 2025 was a guest role on Brilliant Minds, where he portrayed a firefighter living with ALS art echoing life.
Tributes From Hollywood
Messages from colleagues reflect both admiration and affection.
Ellen Pompeo recalled their “instant electric chemistry” on set and shared that when she texted him after his diagnosis, he called her back within 30 seconds.
Patrick Dempsey praised him for bringing “a lot of light” to a terrible disease.
Euphoria creator Sam Levinson said, “Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift.”
Zendaya and other cast members described him as a mentor who made everyone feel seen even while managing his own physical decline.
His former Charmed co star Alyssa Milano remembered his razor sharp humor and quiet intensity.
His Final Gifts
Dane continued working almost until the end.
His memoir, Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, is scheduled for release later this year through Maria Shriver’s imprint, The Open Field. The book traces his journey from Hollywood stardom to his life with ALS. He described it as a way to preserve “the days that matter most.”
For fans, it will serve as a final message in his own words.
A Legacy Beyond the Screen
Eric Dane’s passing is a profound loss to the entertainment world. But his final chapter may prove just as impactful as his on screen performances.
He used his voice when it mattered most.
He turned personal tragedy into public advocacy.
He left behind not only memorable characters, but momentum in the fight against ALS.
In honoring him, many fans are donating to ALS research and advocacy organizations continuing the work he began.
His life may have been cut short, but his influence will endure on screen, in print, and in the ongoing effort to find a cure.