Actor Eric Dane, known for his role on Grey’s Anatomy, died on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53, after a battle with ALS. He had publicly announced his diagnosis in April 2025 and became a prominent advocate for raising awareness about the disease. Over the past year, he connected with fans by sharing his experiences. His passing came 20 years after he first appeared as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, a role he played in 145 episodes over six seasons.
Following the death of Dane DeHaan, many of his colleagues from Grey’s Anatomy shared memories and honored his work on the popular show. Patrick Dempsey, who played Dr. Derek Shepherd, told The Hollywood Reporter that Dane was one of the funniest people on set and a pleasure to work with, emphasizing the strong respect they shared as cast members.
He was incredibly funny and a delight to work with. I want to remember him for the joy he brought to every set – he always made things fun. He had a fantastic sense of humor and was instantly likeable. I’ll never forget the first scene we shot together – he walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, looking fantastic, and instantly made everyone feel a little self-conscious! There was a great rapport between us, built on mutual respect. He was brilliantly intelligent, and I’ll always cherish the fun we had together. It’s a real loss for those of us who won’t get to experience that joy anymore.
Kim Raver, a longtime cast member on Grey’s Anatomy who plays Dr. Teddy Altman, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram remembering her colleague. She described him as a bright and cheerful presence, always with a sparkle in his eye, and sent her deepest sympathy to his wife, Rebecca, and their kids.
Eric had a wonderful, radiant personality that shone through whether he was acting on the ‘Grey’s’ set or spending time with his family, Rebecca and their daughters. He had a playful spark and a knack for delivering lines with impeccable timing, often leaving everyone amazed. He will be deeply missed, and my heart goes out to Rebecca and their girls. We all loved him very much.
Kevin McKidd, who plays Dr. Owen Hunt, shared a heartfelt tribute to Dane on Instagram, posting a photo of them together and writing, “Rest in Peace buddy.” Sarah Drew, known for her role as Dr. April Kepner, also honored Dane on Instagram with a photo and the message, “Rest in peace.”
Shonda Rhimes, the creator of the show, told The Hollywood Reporter that she was deeply saddened by Dane’s death. She called him a very talented actor and expressed her thanks for all he contributed to the show and the people who worked on it.
Eric Dane was a much-loved part of the ‘Shondaland’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ teams. He was a talented actor, and his role as Dr. Mark Sloan will always be remembered by fans and had a lasting impact on the show. We deeply appreciate his talent, kindness, and friendship over the years, and we send our condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who admired his work.
James Pickens Jr., who plays Dr. Richard Webber, shared a message of remembrance on Instagram, paying tribute to his longtime colleague after sharing the screen with them for more than five years.
Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria, shared that it was a privilege to work with his late colleague and expressed his condolences to the family, hoping they find strength and healing during this difficult time.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved friend, Eric. It was a privilege to work alongside him, and we cherished his friendship. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time, and we will always remember him fondly.
I always loved working with Eric Dane. I remember Alyssa Milano – you know, from Charmed – saying she couldn’t help but notice this incredible spark in his eyes right before he’d deliver a really funny or surprisingly insightful line. It was clear how much his family meant to him, and that really came through in everything he did, especially when people were sharing memories of him.
Eric had a way of catching you off guard with his quick wit and playful nature – you could see a mischievous glint in his eyes before he’d deliver a joke or a thought-provoking statement. He found humor in the unexpected. But beneath that playful exterior, he was deeply devoted to his daughters and Rebecca. He carried their memory with him always, and it softened his entire demeanor – especially when he spoke their names. They were a truly beautiful family, and he held both his playful spark and tender heart close, letting glimpses of each shine through.
Nina Dobrev (known for her role in Redeeming Love) posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, sharing her sadness and describing Dane as a warm, generous, dedicated, and passionate person.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Eric. He was a truly kind, generous, and dedicated person who poured his heart into his work. He had a gift for making everyone feel valued and respected. It’s devastating that he was taken by ALS, a terrible disease. We hope his memory will motivate further research and progress towards finding a cure. He will be greatly missed, and our hearts go out to his family.
Eric Dane’s Legacy on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Remembered
ABC
Dr. Mark Sloan first appeared in Season 2 of Grey’s Anatomy and was a key character until 2021. He began as a former best friend of Derek Shepherd, but their relationship became strained after Mark had an affair with Derek’s wife, ultimately leading to the end of Derek’s marriage.
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Dane played a significant role on Grey’s Anatomy from Seasons 2 to 8. His character was tragically killed off in Season 9 after a plane crash left him with fatal injuries. The crash occurred while he was traveling to operate on conjoined twins, and after his death, the hospital was renamed in his memory.
As a film buff, I’m really feeling the loss of Dane. While he had a solid career with films like X-Men: The Last Stand, Burlesque, and even the new Bad Boys, I think a lot of us will always remember his work on Grey’s Anatomy. It’s good to know we’ll get one last chance to see him shine in the upcoming season of Euphoria – it’s a bittersweet way to close out the career of such a talented and well-respected actor.
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2026-02-21 00:35