Photo credit Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grey’s Anatomy heart-throb «McSteamy» Eric Dane dies at 53 after devastating ALS battle
Hollywood has been rocked by the death of Eric Dane BBC reports – the beloved Grey’s Anatomy hunk known to millions as «Dr. McSteamy» – who has died aged 53, less than a year after revealing his heartbreaking ALS diagnosis.
The actor, who later reinvented himself as troubled patriarch Cal Jacobs in HBO’s smash-hit teen drama Euphoria, passed away on Thursday afternoon (19 February 2026), his family confirmed.
In a moving statement, they said:
«With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS». Dane, whose chiselled looks and smouldering charm made him one of TV’s most recognisable stars, had spoken candidly about living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
A TV icon who defined an era
Dane shot to global fame as Dr Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, where his steamy on‑screen presence earned him the nickname that stuck for life: McSteamy. His chemistry with co-stars and his unforgettable storylines helped cement the show as a cultural juggernaut.
Years later, he stunned a new generation of viewers with his dark, layered performance as Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, proving he was far more than a primetime heart-throb.
Surrounded by love in his final days
Dane is survived by his wife, actress and model Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, who remained by his side throughout his illness.
His family said he spent his final days «surrounded by friends and his devoted wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world».
They added:
«He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received».
Fans and colleagues mourn a Hollywood favourite
Tributes from across the entertainment world are already pouring in for the actor, whose career spanned more than two decades and left an indelible mark on television drama.
Dane’s death marks a tragic loss for fans of Grey’s Anatomy, Euphoria, and the wider Hollywood community, who are remembering him not only as a gifted performer but as a devoted father, husband, and friend.