acteur eric dane overleden op 53-jarige leeftijd na strijd met als
Los Angeles, vrijdag, 20 februari 2026.
de bekende amerikaanse acteur eric dane is donderdag overleden op de leeftijd van 53 jaar. hij stierf na een korte maar moedige strijd met als, de ziekte van lou gehrig. dane werd vorig jaar gediagnosticeerd en sprak openlijk over zijn ervaringen. hij wilde bewustzijn creëren rond de zeldzame ziekte. fans kennen hem vooral als dr mark sloan, ‘mcsteamy’, uit grey’s anatomy en als cal jacobs in euphoria. in zijn laatste maanden bleef hij campagne voeren voor alsonderzoek. familie en vrienden waren bij hem in zijn laatste ogenblikken. hij wordt overleefd door zijn vrouw rebecca gayheart en hun twee dochters. zijn nalatenschap blijft leven in zijn werk en zijn pleidooi voor meer aandacht voor als.
american actor eric dane passes away at 53 after als diagnosis
American actor Eric Dane has died at the age of 53 following a brief but courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. His death occurred on February 19, 2026, just under a year after publicly announcing his diagnosis in April 2025 [1]. The confirmation came via a family statement shared with People Magazine and widely reported by international outlets including the BBC and CP24 [1][2]. Throughout his illness, Dane remained vocal about his experience, aiming to raise awareness and support for ALS research [2].
rising to fame as ‘mcsteamy’ in grey’s anatomy
Born on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, California, Eric Dane rose to prominence playing Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately nicknamed ‘McSteamy,’ on the long-running ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy [3][4]. He joined the cast in 2006 and remained a central figure until 2012, returning briefly in 2021 for its 17th season [4]. His portrayal of the charismatic surgeon earned him widespread acclaim and cemented his status as a television icon [4]. Prior to this breakout role, he appeared in shows like The Wonder Years and Roseanne [4].
later roles in euphoria and other projects
In later years, Dane took on the role of Cal Jacobs, the emotionally distant father of Nate Jacobs, in HBO’s critically acclaimed series Euphoria [4]. He portrayed the character from 2019 through the show’s second season and was scheduled to return for its upcoming third and final season [4]. Alongside his television work, Dane maintained a presence in film, appearing in major productions such as X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, Burlesque, Dangerous Waters, and Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) [3][4]. He attended the Prime Video premiere of Countdown in Los Angeles on June 18, 2025, one of his final public appearances [3].
personal life and advocacy during illness
Dane was married to actress and model Rebecca Gayheart since October 2004, with whom he shares two daughters, Billie and Georgia [3][4]. Their relationship experienced strain, leading to a divorce filing in 2018, though it was later withdrawn in March 2025 [3]. Despite challenges, Gayheart described their bond as familial rather than romantic [3]. After his ALS diagnosis, Dane became an outspoken advocate for neurological disease research [2]. He openly discussed losing function on his right side, stating, ‘my right side has completely stopped working’ [3].
final days and legacy
Eric Dane passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, surrounded by close friends, his wife Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, who were described as ‘the center of his world’ in a family statement [1][2]. The announcement expressed deep gratitude for fan support and requested privacy during this difficult time [2]. Though his life was marked by personal loss—including his father’s suicide when Dane was seven—he faced his own illness with resilience [1]. His advocacy brought visibility to ALS, leaving behind a dual legacy in entertainment and patient advocacy [1][2].