Eric Dane Passes Away at 53 Following ALS Diagnosis

Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on "Grey’s Anatomy," has died at 53 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The actor passed away surrounded by family, leaving behind a final message to his daughters in a newly released Netflix interview.

"Grey’s Anatomy" star Eric Dane has died at the age of 53. The actor, who rose to fame as Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as McSteamy, passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026. His family confirmed the news.

"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," reads a statement from Dane’s family. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, Rebecca, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world."

His death comes ten months after he revealed his ALS diagnosis. The disease, which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, progressively impacts muscle control.

A Final Interview

Dane’s final interview before his passing is now streaming on Netflix as part of the platform’s posthumous interview series "Famous Last Words." The series gives fans an opportunity to hear from cultural figures after their deaths.

At the end of the episode, Dane delivered a direct-to-camera message to his daughters, Billie and Georgia.

“These words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried. Overall we had a blast, didn’t we? I remember all the times we spent at the beach, the two of you, me and mom — in Santa Monica, Hawaii, Mexico. I see you now playing in the ocean for hours, my water babies. Those days, pun intended, were heaven," he said.

Lessons for His Daughters

In the interview, Dane shared four lessons he said he learned from living with ALS. First, he encouraged his daughters to live in the present. He then urged them to fall in love, not only with a person but with something meaningful.

"Find your passion, your joy. Find something that makes you want to get up in the morning, drives you through the entire day," he shared. His third lesson was to "choose your friends wisely." The fourth and final lesson was to "fight with every ounce of your being, and with dignity."

The episode concludes with Dane addressing his daughters directly. “Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words,” Dane says at the conclusion of the episode.

Through his final interview, Eric Dane left a lasting message for his daughters and for viewers who followed his career. His words now serve as a farewell to his family and fans alike.