Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an underlying cause of death.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n Dane\u2019s family confirmed the actor died on February 19, surrounded by loved ones.<\/a> He was 53.<\/p>\n The tragic news came 10 months after the actor, best known for portraying Dr Mark Sloan in the medical drama, went public with his diagnosis of ALS \u2014 the most common form of motor neurone disease.<\/p>\n \u201cWith heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,\u201d read the statement.<\/p>\n \u201cHe spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight.<\/p>\n \u201cHe will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.<\/p>\n \u201cEric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he\u2019s received.<\/p>\n \u201cThe family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.\u201d<\/p>\n ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually impacting the ability to move, speak, eat and breathe.<\/p>\n While treatment can slow the disease\u2019s progression, there is currently no cure.<\/p>\n Although Dane and his wife Rebecca Gayheart separated in September 2017, she continued to support the father of her children, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.<\/p>\n In a first-person piece for The Cut,<\/a> Gayheart said she made it her \u201cmission\u201d to ensure Dane, who had become restricted to a wheelchair, received the full-time care he required.<\/p>\n After two appeals, she successfully secured around-the-clock nursing care for her former partner.<\/a><\/p>\n The final TV interview given by Dane<\/a> is set to be released as part of a new Netflix series, Famous Last Words.<\/p>\n During the interview with director Brad Falchuk, Dane spoke candidly about the loneliness he experienced, as well as his resilience, sensitivity and deep love for acting, his family and his friends.<\/p>\n \u201cI can feel lonely in a crowded room,\u201d he admitted. Yet even as ALS took more of his body, he described his spirit as unexpectedly bright.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no reason for me to be happy in any individual moment, but I am,\u201d he said in the Netflix interview.<\/p>\n Dane reflected on trauma that hit him \u201con a cellular level,\u201d his battles with addiction, the great love of his life and the peace he had made with dying.<\/p>\n Falchuk eventually stepped away so Dane could deliver his final message directly to camera \u2014 a farewell meant only for his daughters.<\/p>\n \u201cBillie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried\u2026 Those days we spent at the beach \u2014 in Santa Monica, Hawaii, Mexico \u2014 were heaven,\u201d Dane said.<\/p>\n A memoir by Dane is scheduled to be published in late 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to capture the moments that shaped me \u2014 the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted \u2014 so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart. If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling,\u201d he said in a statement announcing the book.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eric Dane\u2019s co-star defends GoFundMe page as donations surge<\/p>\n 2 min read<\/p>\n![\"Dempsey,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/c3fea16e5c49bf4c353fcd1d5942aa1dd82b1941.jpg\")
Dempsey, who portrayed Dr Derek \u2018McDreamy\u2019 Shepherd, and Dane, who played Dr Mark \u2018McSteamy\u2019 Sloan, starred together on Grey\u2019s Anatomy from 2006 until 2012. Credit: ABC![\"Eric](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/75f2026d8bda3b7939b854ae708a99cfaeaea366.png\")
Eric Dane now requires full-time care, after ALS diagnosis. Credit: Getty\/I Am ALS<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/c0915d542c8f597b8733bca563e836a3578eef13.jpg\")
Eric Dane and his two daughters Billie and Georgia. Credit: GoFundMe![\"Grey\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8eca5aac8a8f744a6326ece15aa90a4c9ea754f6.png\")
Grey\u2019s Anatomy actor Eric Dane with wife Rebecca Gayheart. Credit: AAP\/Good Morning America<\/p>\n