Eric Dane, 53, passed away on February 19, 2026. He passed due to respiratory failure and his illness, ALS, which he was diagnosed with in April 2025.
Dane was born on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco. He went to school at Sequoia High School, where he found his passion for drama, and shortly after, he began his acting career. He made his onscreen debut on the show Saved By The Bell in 1991, playing Tad Pogue, a volleyball player. His big break came in 2006, when he was cast as Dr. Mark Sloan, famously known as “McSteamy” on the hit ABC show “Grey’s Anatomy.” This was his defining moment as an actor and made him a household name. He later starred in some iconic movies like Valentine’s Day, Marley & Me, Burlesque, and more. Though his most recent and one of his last famous roles was in the hit show Euphoria on HBO Max, starring Zendaya. He played Nate Jacob’s (Jacob Elordi) dad, named Cal Jacobs. His last-ever role, however, was a guest appearance in Brilliant Minds, a medical drama in which he played a patient suffering from his real-life illness, ALS.
His Diagnoses
ALS ( amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is defined as a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and paralysis. It is a fast-progressing illness, and it typically affects people around the age of 55-60 and has a life expectancy of 2-5 years. He publicly announced his diagnosis in April 2025, though he was diagnosed in 2024. His death certificate stated he passed due to respiratory failure and ALS as the underlying cause.
During the time of his illness, he became an advocate and spokesperson for ALS, where his main focus was to raise awareness and funds for research. He partnered with I AM ALS and TARGET ALS, raising $500,000 for research by December 31, 2025. Dane claimed in a press release that “I chose to support Target ALS because I know that this organization is making the most headway towards developing effective treatments and I want to play my part to make that possible.” He also stated, “I wake up every day, and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening.”
Since his passing
Following his passing, a GoFundMe has been set up by close friends of the family in order to help Dane’s family. It has since raised around $489,474 and is continuing to rise. Also, after his passing was announced, Netflix released a documentary featuring Eric Dane entitled Famous Last Words: Eric Dane. Here, Dane left a message for the world and his daughters, reflecting on his life’s journey. He also advised living in the moment and not focusing on the past. He encouraged his daughters to “fight” and hold their heads high, expressing that they could face anything, including the end of life, with dignity.
Various friends and loved ones have come forward to express their sadness at this loss and share their memories of Eric Danes. Some included Shonda Rhimes, John Stamos, Patrick Dempsey, and many others. The loss of Eric Dane is devastating, and his presence will always be with us through his iconic work in the film industry.
