Eric Dane, the actor whose work on Grey’s Anatomy made him one of television’s most recognizable faces, died on February 19, 2026, at age 53 after living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS.
His death came less than a year after he publicly shared his diagnosis in April 2025. According to his family, Dane spent his final days with close friends, his wife Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie and Georgia.
In their statement, his family also noted that Dane used the final months of his life to bring more attention to ALS and to support research connected to the progressive neurological disease.
A Television Career Defined by Two Very Different Roles
For many viewers, Dane will always be remembered as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy. The character, widely known by the nickname “McSteamy,” became one of the medical drama’s standout figures and helped turn Dane into a major television star.