Eric Dane

Eric William Dane, the American actor beloved for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on the hit ABC medical drama Greys Anatomy, passed away on February 19, 2026, from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was 53 years old. Born Eric William Melvin on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, California, Dane discovered his passion for acting during a high school production of Arthur Millers All My Sons. His father died when he was seven years old, and he was raised in his mothers Jewish faith. He moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue acting full-time. Dane worked steadily in television throughout the 1990s and 2000s, appearing in series including Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married with Children. He had a recurring role as Jason Dean on Charmed before landing the role that would make him a household name. In 2005, Dane guest-starred as Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed McSteamy by fans, on Greys Anatomy. The audience reaction was so overwhelmingly positive that he was promoted to series regular for the third season. His first major appearance, emerging from a bathroom wearing only a towel, became a cultural watercooler moment. He appeared on the show from 2006 to 2012, and returned for a guest appearance in 2021. Beyond Greys Anatomy, Dane starred in several films including X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Marley and Me (2008), Valentines Day (2010), and Burlesque (2010). He played Captain Tom Chandler in the TNT series The Last Ship (2014-2018) and Cal Jacobs in the HBO drama Euphoria (2019-2026). His most recent role was FBI Special Agent Nathan Blythe in the Amazon Prime Video series Countdown (2025). In April 2025, Dane publicly announced his ALS diagnosis, bringing awareness to the disease during his final months. He was known for his openness about personal struggles, including depression and substance abuse recovery. Dane is survived by his two daughters. His wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, had filed for divorce in 2018, though the proceedings were later dismissed in 2025.