Euphoria and Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane PASSES away at 53

Eric Dane, the actor known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at the age of 53, less than a year after publicly revealing his diagnosis with motor neurone disease.

Dane died on Thursday afternoon, his representatives confirmed in a statement. In April, he had shared that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of motor neurone disease.

'He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife [actor Rebecca Gayheart and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,' the statement read.

'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.'

A Courageous Fight Against Motor Neurone Disease

ALS is the most common form of motor neurone disease, and the terms are often used interchangeably. It is a terminal degenerative disorder that causes individuals to gradually lose the use of their limbs, as well as the ability to speak, swallow and eventually breathe independently.

There is no cure for the condition. On average, those diagnosed with motor neurone disease live for about 27 months after diagnosis, though some patients survive for decades. Physicist Stephen Hawking, for example, was diagnosed at 21 with a slow-progressing form of the disease and lived until the age of 76.

Dane became widely recognised for playing Dr Mark Sloan, affectionately known as “McSteamy”, in Grey’s Anatomy. Initially signing on for a single episode, he went on to become a series regular for six seasons, earning a dedicated fan following. More recently, he portrayed Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, playing the father of a character portrayed by Jacob Elordi.

With memorable performances across television and a public commitment to raising awareness about ALS following his diagnosis, Eric Dane leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond the screen.