“Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson is paying tribute to Eric Dane, who played Cal Jacobs on the HBO Max show. Dane died Thursday.
“I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing,” Levinson said in a statement to Variety.
Dane went public with his ALS diagnosis just last year.
HBOMax said on Instagram, “We are deeply saddened by the news of Eric Dane’s passing. He was incredibly talented and HBO was fortunate to have worked with him on three seasons of Euphoria. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Dane told Variety last year, “I’ve always had a profound respect for the craft of acting, but I never considered myself an artist. I could never admit it, until I started making ‘Euphoria.’ That’s when I gave myself the allowance to feel like I was an artist.”
About working with Levinson, Dane said, “I just have so much trust in Sam Levinson that I don’t really need to know what’s happening. On the day, he can just tell me what to do and where to go, and I’m good with it.”
Known for his role as “McSteamy” on “Grey’s Anatomy,” Dane went on to play the complicated father of Jacob Elordi’s character on “Euphoria.” Over the years, the California native also appeared on “Gideon’s Crossing,” “Charmed” and “The Last Ship” and in films including “Marley and Me,” “Valentine’s Day” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.”
Last year, he also appeared on Amazon Prime’s “Countdown” as a special agent.
Dane advocated for support for ALS through I Am ALS and told the Washington Post, “Not to be overly morbid,” he said. “but you know, if I’m going out, I’m gonna go out helping somebody.”