Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy” and more recently for his work in “Euphoria,” has died at the age of 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The actor revealed his diagnosis in April 2025, and his passing marks a significant loss for the entertainment industry.
Dane’s diagnosis came after a period of uncertainty, following a fall that required hospitalization and caused him to miss the Grey’s Anatomy reunion at the Emmy Awards. “ALS is a nasty disease,” he told the Washington Post, explaining his absence. “So I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head.” He expressed his disappointment at missing the opportunity to reconnect with his former co-stars Jesse Williams and others.
As his condition progressed, Dane increasingly relied on a wheelchair for mobility, as documented in photos taken at Toronto Pearson International Airport in October 2025. Despite the physical challenges, he remained committed to his work and advocacy. The actor pledged to continue working and fighting the disease.
In December 2025, Dane spoke candidly about living with ALS, discussing the emotional and physical toll the disease took on him. “I have no reason to be in a solid spirit at any time, on any given day,” he shared during a panel hosted by the advocacy organization I am ALS. “I don’t think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying.” But, he also discovered a surprising resilience within himself.
Dane also dedicated himself to raising awareness about ALS and advocating for continued funding for research and access to treatments. In October 2025, he spoke with U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell about the importance of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, which is set to expire in 2026. He emphasized the require to broaden access to clinical trials for those diagnosed with the disease, noting that the lengthy diagnostic process can often preclude patients from participating.
It took Dane nine months to receive a diagnosis. The actor’s passing underscores the urgency of finding effective treatments and a cure for this devastating disease, which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle deterioration and loss of control.
