Doctor Explains Eric Dane Cause of Death (ALS)

Doctor Explains Eric Dane Cause of Death (ALS) Actor Eric Dane has died of complications related to ALS on Thursday, People reports. He was 53. Dane’s family confirmed his death with a statement sharing that he had “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 actor, known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, revealed his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in April 2025. In the months since publicly sharing his illness, he advocated for others. “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 continues. “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. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.” In a June 2025 interview with Diane Sawyer, Dane opened up about his early symptoms, noting that he initially experienced weakness in his right hand. “I didn't really think anything of it at the time — I thought maybe I'd been texting too much, or my hand was fatigued,” he said. However, after nine months and multiple visits to hand specialists and neurologists, the actor received the diagnosis. By June 2025, he had lost use of his right side. “I'm angry because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young, and now, you know, there's a very good chance I'm going to be taken from my girls while they're very young,” Dane told Sawyer of his dad. “I mean, really at the end of the day, all I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can.” In the interview, he shared that he was in a research study for ALS and was taking medication that left him “hopeful.” Dane began his acting career in the ‘90s with guest roles in TV shows like Saved by the Bell,The Wonder Years and Married…with Children. In 2006, he joined ABC’s medical drama Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed “McSteamy.” He joined the main cast in Season 3 and appeared until his character’s death in a plane crash in Season 9. He briefly returned as a guest star via a dream sequence in Season 17. Dane went on to star in The Last Ship post Grey's Anatomy, which was followed a crew on a Navy ship that must find a cure for the pandemic that wiped out humanity. It aired on TNT from 2014 to 2018. In 2019, Dane took on the scene-stealing role of badly behaving suburban father Cal Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria. He appeared on the show for its first two seasons, which aired in 2019 and 2022. He then returned to set for the show’s long-awaited third season in 2025. Though best known for his TV work, Dane’s film roles included X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, Dangerous Waters and Bad Boys: Ride or Die. He reunited with Euphoria co-star Sydney Sweeney for the 2025 release Americana. Dane was married to actress Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he shared daughters Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13. The spouses filed for divorce in 2018, however, in March 2025, Gayheart called off the proceedings. He told Sawyer of their relationship, “We have managed to become better friends and better parents, and she is probably my biggest champion, my most stalwart supporter.” Rest in power king