Eric Dane, the actor known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, has died at 53, according to reports published in February 2026. His representatives said he died following amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); later reporting that cited a death certificate identified respiratory failure as the cause of death and ALS as the underlying cause.
What was Eric Dane’s cause of death?
The Associated Press reported on February 20, 2026, that Dane’s representatives said he died from ALS. A later report by E! News, citing a death certificate, said respiratory failure was the cause of death, with ALS listed as the underlying cause. The certificate detail is secondary reporting; the two accounts describe different levels of the cause rather than warranting a broader claim than either source supports.
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Grey’s Anatomy Complete Series 1-17 (94-Disc) | $194.25 | Buy on Amazon |
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Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fourth Season | $17.89 | Buy on Amazon |
What did his family say?
In a statement reported by the Associated Press, Dane’s representatives said: “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 also said that during his illness he became an advocate for ALS awareness and research, determined to help others facing the disease. The family requested privacy.
Sheri Strahl, president and CEO of the ALS Network, said in a statement reported by The Washington Post: “He has turned his ALS journey into a catalyst for progress, uniting people with his voice, his heart, and his determination.”
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The roles that made Eric Dane widely known
Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy
Dane began playing Dr. Mark Sloan—nicknamed “McSteamy”—on Grey’s Anatomy in 2006, according to ABC News. The role became one of his best-known performances.
Cal Jacobs on Euphoria
He later played Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria, a very different television role from the one that first brought him broad recognition. ABC News and the Los Angeles Times reported on his work across television and film.
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A personal connection to an ALS storyline
The Los Angeles Times also reported that Dane drew on personal experience to portray a firefighter living with ALS on television. That performance was part of a wider career spanning screen roles beyond his two most widely recognized series.
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