Eric Dane, 53 year-old actor best known for his roles as Mark “McSteamy” Sloan in Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, died on Thursday, February 19. His death came 10 months after the announcement of his diagnosis with A.L.S., a fatal disease that causes speech, muscle and limb difficulties.
Dane was born on November 8, 1972 to parents William Dane Melvin and Leah Melvin in San Francisco, California. His father, who Dane described as a “troubled soul” to the New York Times, committed suicide when the actor was just 7 years old.
Dane began acting at 18 years old, debuting in a 1991 episode of “Saved by the Bell.” Over the years. He took roles in popular films including the romantic comedy “Marley & Me,” where his role as a supporting actor stood out alongside Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. His starring role in “The Last Ship” showed his skill in diverse acting, playing a fearless navy commander in the tv series. His true “breakout role” came from “Grey’s Anatomy,” where “McSteamy” was the blue-eyed, good-looking head of plastic surgery at the fictional Seattle Hospital the show was famed for. His role earned him an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble as well as the Satellite Award for Best Ensemble. From 2006 to 2012, his performance captured audiences’ attention and brought the actor to fame.
Dane’s role as Cal Jacobs in “Euphoria” was his favorite, as told to Variety magazine. His performance in the tv series as a father living a double life exposed the harmful notions of internalized homophobia and harmful masculinity. Dane was on Euphoria from 2019 to 2022.
In 2004, Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart. The pair together had two daughters: Billie Beatrice Dane and Georgia Geralidine Dane. Though separating in 2017, Gayheart and Dane maintained their friendship and love for each other and their daughters.
Following his diagnosis in April, Dane was a public advocate for people living with A.L.S.. In September, Dane took the media in a patient advocacy campaign video. Through slightly slurred speech, Dane spoke about raising funds and research to finally find an end to the disease. “I am an actor. I am a father and now a person living with A.L.S.,” Dane said.
In Netflix’s “Famous Last Words,” a series that airs postmortem and features known figures, Dane sat in a motorized wheelchair and spoke about his life and his wishes. “Billie and Georgia,” the actor began, “you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.”