Eric Dane, the actor beloved for his roles as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria, has died at 53. His family confirmed he passed away on February 19 following a battle with ALS.
In a statement shared with People, his loved ones said Dane died peacefully, surrounded by close friends, his wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia. He had publicly revealed his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis in 2025 and became an advocate for raising awareness and funding research for the disease. “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” the family said, asking for privacy during their grief.
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane grew up in the Bay Area before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. He landed early roles in series including Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married… with Children before gaining wider attention in the early 2000s. His film credits included X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, and Valentine’s Day, along with a starring role in Open Water 2 and a recurring arc on Charmed.
Dane’s breakout moment came in 2005 when he debuted as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy. Originally introduced as a guest character, Sloan quickly became a fan favorite and series regular, remaining a central figure through Season 8 and making later guest appearances, including a return nearly two decades later. In 2019, he reinvented himself for a new generation as Cal Jacobs, the complex and controversial father on Euphoria, a role he reprised in the show’s third season.
