American actor Eric Dane, best known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, is dead at 53, not long after opening up about his ALS diagnosis.
Eric Dane is best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as “McSteamy,” in the popular medical drama Grey’s Anatomy and more recently as Cal Jacobs in the popular HBO drama Euphoria.
Dane’s family announced his passing on Thursday after his long battle with ALS, a progressive disease of the nerves that disrupts muscle movement.
Dane is survived by his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia. The family said the children were the center of his life and thanked fans for the outpouring of support during his battle with ALS.
Eric Dane is not only best known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy but also appeared in other popular television shows such as Charmed and The Last Ship, as well as films including Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day, and Burlesque.
He became part of the show Grey’s Anatomy in 2006, and soon he became a household name, with many fans across the world, including in Kenya, admiring him.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare disorder that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually robbing patients of their ability to walk, talk, and breathe on their own.
Following his diagnosis last year, Eric Dane spoke candidly about his experience in an interview that aired on Good Morning America, saying that the diagnosis had not been easy to take, especially as a father.
There have been many tributes to him since his passing, all coming from colleagues in the film industry, including Kim Raver, who said that Dane had been someone who brought humor to the set, while Kevin McKidd made a short video tribute to him, mourning the passing of his friend.
Euphoria creator Sam Levinson said that working with Dane had been an honor, and that he would be greatly missed.
He is being remembered by fans all over the world, not just for his work, but also for his openness during his illness.
