Patrick Dempsey Mourns Eric Dane, 'Funniest Man' and ALS Advocate, Dead at 53
Actor Patrick Dempsey has shared a poignant tribute to his former Grey's Anatomy co-star Eric Dane, who passed away at the age of 53. Dane's death comes less than a year after he publicly disclosed his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
Dempsey's Emotional Reflections on Dane's Legacy
Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio, Dempsey expressed deep sorrow over the news. "I just woke up this morning and it was very sad to read the news. It's hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children," he said. Dempsey revealed that he had been in recent contact with Dane, texting him about a week prior to his passing.
He described Dane's deteriorating condition, noting that the actor was bedridden and struggling to speak and swallow. "The quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly," Dempsey added, highlighting the harsh realities of ALS.
Despite the sadness, Dempsey chose to focus on Dane's vibrant personality. "He was the funniest man – he was such a joy to work with and I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it. He had a great sense of humour," he recalled.
Dempsey fondly remembered their first scene together, where Dane emerged from a bathroom in a towel, exuding confidence. "He was easy to work with, we got along instantly. First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant," he shared.
Dane's Career and Personal Life
Eric Dane's career soared when he joined the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy as the charismatic Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan, a role he played from 2006 to 2012, with a guest return in 2021. He later captivated a new generation with his portrayal of Cal Jacobs in the HBO series Euphoria.
His other notable roles include appearances in Charmed, Burlesque, Marley & Me, and Valentine's Day, as well as starring as Tom Chandler in The Last Ship from 2014 to 2018.
In his personal life, Dane was married to actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004, and they had two children together. Although Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, she later dismissed the petition, describing their relationship as "a very complicated relationship, one that's confusing for people, our love may not be romantic, but it's a familial love" in a December article for The Cut.
ALS Advocacy and Final Days
Dane's death was confirmed by his representatives in a statement to Associated Press, which noted that he spent his final days surrounded by friends and family, including his wife and daughters, Billie and Georgia. "Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight," the statement read.
In 2025, Dane went public with his ALS diagnosis, using his platform to raise awareness about the disease. He detailed his symptoms in an interview with Diane Sawyer, stating, "My left side is functioning; my right side has completely stopped working." ALS, the most common form of motor neurone disease, typically allows patients to live three to five years post-diagnosis.
Dane even drew from his personal experience for a guest role on the TV series Brilliant Minds in November 2025, portraying a firefighter diagnosed with ALS.
Celebrity Tributes Pour In
Following the news of his passing, numerous celebrities paid tribute to Dane. Ashton Kutcher wrote on X, "The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr Eric Dane. We know you'll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let's keep fighting the fight to solve ALS."
Other tributes came from John Stamos, Nina Dobrev, Robert Patrick, Maria Shriver, and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. Kevin McKidd, who plays Owen Hunt on Grey's Anatomy, posted on Instagram, "Rest in Peace, Buddy."
Dempsey concluded his tribute by emphasizing Dane's impact, "He did an incredible job at bringing awareness to this horrible disease and those remaining days and it just reminds us that we all have to celebrate every day like it's our last day."
