As Hollywood continues to mourn the death of Eric Dane, his Grey’s Anatomy onscreen love interest has shared a statement.
Chyler Leigh, who played Lexie Grey on the ABC medical drama from 2007 to ’12, said she will carry Dane “within my heart forever” after the Mark Sloan actor died at age 53 on Thursday, following an ALS diagnosis last year.
“The last 48 hours have been devastating,” she started in a statement shared with E! News. “I never thought I would be using the term ‘had or was,’ but here we are. And I hate it.”
Leigh said, “Eric had a heart of gold. His humor and, especially, his laugh was infectious. He was a deeply intelligent man who could carry a philosophical conversation for hours even while we were on set. He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY. Incredibly passionate about his work and the causes he kept close to his heart.
“The Universe is undoubtedly holding Eric now, just as I will continue to do within my heart forever,” added Leigh.
Introduced as a guest star in Season 2 of Grey’s Anatomy in 2006, Dane became a series regular the following season, playing the beloved character of Dr. Mark ‘McSteamy’ Sloan.
During the character’s time on the show, he fell in love with Lexie, before they both died following a plane crash in the Season 8 finale. The characters’ presence has remained on the show, as Seattle Grace Mercy West was subsequently renamed Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in their memory.
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