Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane dies at age 53: what was the star’s cause of death?

Eric Dane, best known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan on the television series Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, has died at 53, as reported by People magazine. Ten months ago, he revealed that his life had taken a dramatic turn after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

The actor’s family confirmed his death to the publication.

”With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. 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,” they said.

“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. 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,” they added, asking for privacy as they mourn.

At the end of 2025, Dane announced that he would publish a memoir, Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, scheduled for release this year. In it, he reflected on defining moments from his personal and professional life, including the birth of his two daughters, his first day on the set of Grey’s Anatomy, and the day he received his diagnosis.

“I wake up every morning, and I’m immediately reminded that this is real: this illness, this challenge, and that’s exactly why I’m writing this book,” he said in a statement. “I want to capture the moments that shaped me – the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted – so that, if nothing else, those who read it remember what it means to live with heart […] If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then it’s worth telling my story.”

Who was Eric Dane?

Eric Dane was born on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, California. His father died when he was just 7 years old. In a 2014 interview, he said that it was not until he became a father himself that he understood how “devastating” it had been to lose his own father as a child.

“I was a water polo player in high school […] I ended up getting dragged into playing Joe Keller in All My Sons. And I fell in love with it. I thought: ‘This is the best feeling of my life,’” he told Gulf Times, as quoted by People.

After graduating and moving to Los Angeles with “$40 in his pocket,” he landed guest roles in series including Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, Married... with Children, Gideon’s Crossing and Charmed. His first film appearance came in 2000 with The Basket.

In 2006, he began playing Dr. Mark Sloan in the second season of Grey’s Anatomy, a character who became one of the show’s central figures thanks to his popularity with fans. In 2012, he left the series, saying at the time that he was “struggling” with addiction. “I wasn’t the same guy they had hired, so I understood when they let me go,” he said on a 2024 episode of Armchair Expert, hosted by Dax Shepard.

He also took on other film and television roles, including Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, Marcus Gerber in Burlesque, Sean Jackson in Valentine’s Day, Sebastian Tunney in Marley & Me and Tom Chandler in The Last Ship.

Speaking about his role as Cal Jacobs in 2022, he told Men’s Health that playing the character had been “liberating” and that there was a great deal of humanity in him. “I’m asked a lot in this role, and the expectations are high. It’s on me to hit every note because Cal lives such a fragile existence. This guy oscillates between what is morally acceptable and what is legally acceptable.”