Eric Dane Remembered by Patrick Dempsey & More in Touching Tributes

Tributes are pouring in for Eric Dane, the 53-year-old Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria actor who died on Thursday (February 19) due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Grey’s star Patrick Dempsey honored his friend and former co-worker on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show in London on Friday morning (February 20), sharing details of Dane’s health in his final weeks.

“I just woke up this morning and it was very sad to read the news. It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children,” Dempsey said, per The Independent. “I was corresponding with him. We were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago and some friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak.”

He continued, “He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.”

Dempsey went on to call Dane “the funniest man,” adding, “He was such a joy to work with and I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it.”

Dane rose to fame playing Mark Sloan, a premier plastic surgeon and playboy, in Grey’s. He became a regular on the show for several seasons from 2005 until 2012. He also played Cal Jacobs in the HBO drama Euphoria, and filmed his scenes for the show’s third season before his death.

Several more friends and colleagues paid tribute to Dane, including Grey’s star Kim Raver, who played Dane’s onscreen wife. She wrote on Instagram, “Eric was a light. You’d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Grey’s as well as when he was with Rebecca [Gayheart] and the girls.”

Raver added, “During filming, he’d get this twinkle in his eye and with a mischievous look, he would deliver with perfect comedic timing, a line of dialogue that would floor you! You will be missed. My love and thoughts go out to Rebecca and their girls. We love you.”

 

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Kevin McKidd, who played Dr. Owen Hunt on the ABC hospital drama, shared a photo of Dane on his Instagram story and wrote, “Rest in Peace buddy.”

Sarah Drew, who played Dr. April Kepner, also posted a photo of Dane on her Instagram Story, captioning the pic, “Rest in peace.”

Longtime Grey’s executive producer Krista Vernoff also shared a heartfelt tribute, along with screenshots of a 2021 text exchange with Dane, who returned for a brief cameo in the award-winning drama series.

“I called Eric and he answered immediately. I said will you come back? I know it’s a pandemic and shooting is a nightmare but we’re gonna do it on the beach and keep our social distance because the world needs joy and Mark and Lexie are joy. He said where and when,” Vernoff shared.

 

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“When I came to set that day, he said, ‘we’re breaking the rules and hugging now right?’ The thing I will remember most about Eric Dane are his hugs. The best hugs. Oh my friend. I wish you peace,” she added.

Ashton Kutcher, who starred opposite Dane in the 2010 rom-com Valentine’s Day, wrote on X, “The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane. We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS.”

The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane. We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS. pic.twitter.com/00TtwmQHAK

— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) February 20, 2026

Nina Dobrev, who worked alongside Dan on 2022’s Redeeming Love, wrote on her Instagram Stories, “He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did. He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen. ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease. May his memory inspire more research, awareness, and progress toward a cure. He will be deeply missed.”

Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria, said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, “I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.”

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Alyssa Milano, who worked with Dane on Charmed, wrote, “I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective. He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard.”

She added, “And when it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren’t present.”