Entertainment, Feb 20: Eric Dane, best known for his roles as Dr Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, died on February 19, 2026, aged 53, following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The progressive neurological disorder, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, had been diagnosed in 2025 and gradually affected his muscle control.
In a statement, his family said he passed away on Thursday afternoon after a courageous fight with ALS. He spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his devoted wife and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom they described as the centre of his world. Throughout his illness, the family said, Dane became a passionate advocate for ALS awareness and research, determined to help others facing the same diagnosis. They noted that he adored his fans and was deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support, while requesting privacy during what they called an impossible time.
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane was raised in California’s Bay Area and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. His early television appearances in the 1990s included roles on Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne and Married… with Children. A recurring part as Dr Wyatt Cooper on Gideon’s Crossing in 2000 marked one of his first significant breaks. That same year, he made his film debut in The Basket.
Over the next decade, Dane built a steady film résumé with roles in Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane, Sol Goode, Feast, X-Men: The Last Stand and Marley & Me. He also appeared in Open Water 2: Adrift and portrayed Jason Dean for two seasons on Charmed.
His career shifted dramatically in 2005 with a guest appearance as Dr Mark Sloan in the second season of Grey’s Anatomy. The character’s popularity led to his promotion to series regular from Season 3 through Season 8, with later returns in Season 9 and again in Season 17’s episode “Breathe”. The confident yet emotionally layered surgeon earned the enduring nickname “McSteamy”, cementing Dane’s global fan base.
From 2014 to 2019, he starred in the TNT action drama The Last Ship, produced by Michael Bay. In 2019, he took on the role of Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, portraying a complex and deeply flawed patriarch across its first two seasons and returning for the third, introducing him to a new generation of viewers.
After making his diagnosis public, Dane worked closely with the organisation I Am ALS, supporting legislative initiatives and fundraising efforts aimed at advancing research. Friends and colleagues said his decision to speak openly about the disease reflected the resilience and strength he displayed both on and off screen.
