American actor Eric Dane, widely celebrated for his role on the hit medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, has passed away at the age of 53.
His death comes nearly a year after he publicly revealed his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
As the disease advances, it causes muscles to weaken, twitch, and atrophy, eventually impacting vital voluntary movements such as walking, speaking, swallowing, and breathing.
Dane died on Thursday afternoon, surrounded by his close friends, his wife, actress and model Rebecca Gayheart, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom the family described as “the center of his world.”
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS… 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,” a statement released by his family read.
The family expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from fans while requesting privacy as they navigate the profound loss. The tragic news has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the entertainment industry, with several of his former co-stars leading the condolences.
Kim Raver, who starred alongside Dane in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, took to Instagram to honor his memory, describing him as a “light” who brought a playful spirit to the set.
“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,” Raver wrote. Another former co-star, Kevin McKidd, simply posted: “Rest in peace, buddy”.
Before achieving global fame, Dane appeared in several television roles throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, including a recurring part on ‘Charmed’.
He shot to international prominence in 2006 when he joined ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ midway through its second season. He became a fixture on the show, appearing in more than 130 episodes between 2006 and 2012.
Beyond ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, Dane’s extensive acting credits include starring roles in the television series ‘The Last Ship’, as well as feature films like ‘Marley & Me’, ‘Valentine’s Day’, and ‘Burlesque’.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters.
