Eric Dane Dies: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Known as ‘McSteamy’ Was 53

Eric Dane, an actor known to Grey’s Anatomy fans as “McSteamy” for his handsome looks, has died nearly a year after announcing he had ALS. He was 53.

Dane passed away on Thursday, Feb. 19, his reps said in a statement.

“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, 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,” the statement continued. “He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.”

In April 2025, Dane revealed he was battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare disease that destroys nerve cells. The illness, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the ability to move, speak, eat and breathe, according to the Mayo Clinic. There is no cure.

“I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,” Dane told People magazine about the illness.

The actor was born in San Francisco on Nov. 9, 1972. After graduating from high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood.

He had roles in the films X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Marley & Me (2008), and Burlesque (2010).

But it was his work in television, including on Charmed, Grey’s Anatomy, and Euphoria, that made him a household name.

Dane played “Dr. Mark Sloan” on Grey’s, an ABC medical drama created by Shonda Rhimes. The actor became known to fans as “McSteamy” after he was shown walking out of a bathroom wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.

Dane discussed the iconic scene last year in an interview with ABC. He revealed a production staffer created the effect of steam to heat the scene up even more.

“I just remember walking out of a bathroom with a very nice gentleman kind of blowing smoke toward me,” he said.

Ellen Pompeo’s character, “Dr. Meredith Grey,” called him “McSteamy” and it stuck. Dane appeared on 145 episodes of the series, according to his IMDb page.

On Euphoria, he played “Cal Jacobs,” the father of Jacob Elordi’s character for two seasons of the HBO drama. Last year, HBO announced Dane was among the cast members returning for season 3. The new episodes will be released in April.

Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004. The two separated in 2017 and Gayheart filed for divorce the following year. She later withdrew the divorce papers.

In a December essay for The Cut, she described their relationship as “complicated.”

“Our love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love,” Gayheart said. The essay was titled “In Sickness and in Health.”