Less than a year after announcing his diagnosis, Dane passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, according to his representatives. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” the statement said, requesting privacy for his family. “As he battled ALS, Eric had a strong desire to raise awareness and support research in order to help others going through similar struggles. He will always be cherished and sorely lost. Eric loved his fans and will always be appreciative of the love and support he has gotten.

When Dane finally got his big break in the middle of the 2000s, he built a loyal fan base: On the ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” he was chosen to play Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as McSteamy. He would play the part from 2006 to 2012 and return in 2021.

Despite being killed off in a plane crash, Dane’s character had a lasting impact on the ongoing series, which changed the name of Seattle Grace Hospital to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

He completely changed his character from the endearing McSteamy in 2019 to play the disturbed Cal Jacobs in HBO’s controversial drama “Euphoria,” a role he played until his passing.

In the TNT thriller “The Last Ship,” Dane played Tom Chandler, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer at sea following a worldwide disaster that killed out the majority of the world’s population. Production was put on hold in 2017 when Dane struggled with depression.

Dane revealed in April 2025 that he had been given a diagnosis of ALS, a degenerative illness that targets the nerve cells that govern all of the body’s muscles.

The nerve cells and connections required for breathing, speaking, walking, and talking are gradually destroyed by ALS. After being diagnosed, the majority of patients pass away three to five years later.

Dane became an advocate for ALS awareness, speaking a news conference in Washington on health insurance prior authorization. “Some of you may know me from TV shows, such as ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ which I play a doctor. But I am here today to speak briefly as a patient battling ALS,” he said in June 2025. In September of that year, the ALS Network named Dane the recipient of their advocate of the year award, recognizing his commitment to raising awareness and support for people living with ALS.

Born on November 9, 1972, Dane grew up in Northern California. When Dane was seven years old, his father, an architect and Navy veteran, was shot and killed, according to the actor. He relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting after graduating from high school, and he was cast in guest appearances on television series such as “Saved by the Bell,” “Married…With Children,” “Charmed,” and “X-Men: the Last Stand.” He also appeared in one season of the brief medical drama “Gideon’s Crossing.”

Dane’s book is expected to be released in late 2026. “Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments” will be published by Penguin Random House imprint The Open Field, written by Maria Shriver. From his first day of work on “Grey’s Anatomy” to the birth of his two daughters and discovering he had ALS, Dane’s memoir, according to Open Field, touches on significant events in his life.

In a statement regarding the book, Dane stated, “I want to preserve the moments that created me — the beautiful days, the terrible ones, the ones I never took for granted — so that those who read it can remember what it is to live with heart, if nothing else.” “My tale is worth sharing if it helps someone find purpose in their own days.”

Actress Rebecca Gayheart and her two teenage kids, Georgia Geraldine and Billie Beatrice, are the only survivors of Dane. After getting married in 2004, Gayheart and Dane split up in September 2017. In 2018, Gayheart filed for divorce, but subsequently filed to have the case dismissed. After Dane’s diagnosis, Gayheart wrote an essay for New York magazine’s The Cut in December that described their relationship as “a very complicated relationship, one that’s perplexing for others.” She claimed that although they lived apart and dated other people, they never formally divorced.

“Our love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love,” she remarked. “Eric is aware of my unwavering desire for the best for him. that I’ll try my hardest to please him. He would do the same for me, I’m sure. I therefore want to do anything I can to help him on this path, whatever I can do so.”