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‘Grey's Anatomy’ Pays Tribute to Eric Dane One Week After His Death
Dax Shepard and Eric Dane didn’t always have a bromance.
However, after the Parenthood alum and the late Grey's Anatomy actor nearly came to blows at an AA meeting, they steadily formed a bond.
“We kept coming back to the same meeting, like neither was gonna not show up,” Shepard shared in an episode of Anderson Cooper’s podcast All There Is, which touches on grief, published April 2. “And over the course of the next two years, I found myself starting to kind of relate to him.”
As Shepard explained, he and the Euphoria actor had both grown up without their fathers, which were losses that left them with questions about how to be men.
“He was so in search of masculine validation and it took all these shapes that I hated, that I’m sure he hated in me” Shepard said of Dane, who died at 53 in February after battling ALS. “And I remember he had his share one time, and I said, ‘I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but that’s one of my favorite shares I’ve ever heard.’”
He continued, “Maybe a week or two later, one of his shares he said, ‘I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I think I’ve come to fall in love with Dax.’”
The pals grew closer, visiting each other’s homes and reflecting on their struggles with masculinity.
“We would chat and connect on the vacuum left when you don’t have a dad around,” he shared, “about how does one know if they’re meeting these markers of becoming a man. And I came to fall in love with a very scared man trying and hoping he’d become a man.”
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Prime Video
According to Shepard, after Dane—who appeared on the Armchair Expert podcast in June 2024—was diagnosed with ALS, he experienced an “insanely rapid decline.”
“For a person who was so hellbent on being hypermasculine and incredibly fit," Shepard continued of Dane, "to have agreed to become the face of this disease, completely completely diminished, I found to be the bravest thing he had done in all these pursuits of manliness.”
Following Shepard’s touching story about Dane, read on to see other tributes to the actor…
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Sydney Sweeney
The Euphoria actress shared a clip from Eric's Netflix Famous Last Words episode adding, "Forever will love you."
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Shonda Rhimes
"Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey’s Anatomy families," Shonda wrote in a Feb. 20 Instagram post. "He was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the world.
"We are grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship and humanity he shared with us for so many years. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his work."
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Patrick Dempsey
The Grey's Anatomy alum remembered his former costar during an appearance on Virgin Radio UK.
"He was the funniest man," Patrick shared. "He's such a joy to work with, and I want to just remember him in that spirit. Anytime he was on set, he brought so much fun to it. He had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with. We got along instantly. His first scene was him in all his glory coming out of the bathroom with a towel on looking amazing, making me feel completely out of shape and insignificant."
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Krista Vernoff
The Grey's Anatomy showrunner, pictured with star Debbie Allen, shared a story of getting Eric back for a season 19 episode during the pandemic to honor his legacy.
"I called Eric and he answered immediately," she recalled in an Instagram post. "I said will you come back? I know it’s a pandemic and shooting is a nightmare but we’re gonna do it on the beach and keep our social distance because the world needs joy and Mark and Lexie are joy. He said where and when. When I came to set that day, he said, we’re breaking the rules and hugging now right?
What I will remember most about Eric Dane are his hugs. The best hugs. Oh my friend. I wish you peace."
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Aimee Lou Wood
The White Lotus star showed her condolences by sharing the news of Eric's death to her Instagram Story, along with a sad emoji and heartbreak emoji.
Instagram/Paula Marshall
Paula Marshall
Eric's Euphoria costar, who played his wife, shared a sweet selfie of the pair to her Instagram story adding, "RIP MR. DANE."
ABC
Kim Raver
"Eric was a light," Kim, who was one of Eric's brief love interests on Grey's Anatomy, wrote in a tribute on Instagram. "You’d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Grey’s as well as when he was with Rebecca and the girls. During filming he’d get this twinkle in his eye and with a mischievous look, he would deliver with perfect comedic timing, a line of dialogue that would floor you! You will be missed."
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Camilla Luddington
While her time on Grey's Anatomy did not overlap with Eric, the actress shared in a tribute, "I walk the halls with his character's name on them every week."
"Eric's impact on our show and its fans is irrefutable," she wrote in an Instagram Story Feb. 20. "An unforgettable talent who will never be forgotten. My heart is with his family."
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Paul Walter Hauser
The I, Tonya actor—who costarred alongside Eric in the 2023 film Americana—reflected on his friendship with the Grey's Anatomy actor.
"We tried to book gigs, we tried to laugh at the pain and we tried to stay sober," Paul wrote on Instagram. "I’m glad we got to play together in Americana."
He added, "I love you, man. I wish we had more time. Enjoy the arms of Father God. I’ll see you again."
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Maria Shriver
The journalist shared she was "heartbroken" by the "devastating news" of Eric's death.
"He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis," she wrote on X." He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS."
She added of his upcoming memoir, being published under her imprint, "He told me he wanted his family to know how much he loved them, and he wanted to leave them a story they could be proud of."
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Selma Blair
The Cruel Intentions actress—who worked with Dane on the ‘90s show Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane—offered her condolences by tagging the late actor in an Instagram Story and writing, “I love you. And yours.”
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Ashton Kutcher
The That '70s Show actor reflected on the fun he had in a Fantasy Football league with Eric, writing on X, "The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane. We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS."
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO
Sam Levinson
The Euphoria creator shared that his friendship with Dane—who played Cal Jacobs on the HBO series—was “a gift” following his tragic passing.
“I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric,” he said in a statement to Variety. “Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.”
ABC/Mike Rosenthal
James Pickens Jr.
The Grey's Anatomy star shared the news of his former costar's death to his Instagram Story Feb. 19, writing "Rest in Peace."
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Sarah Drew
Also a Grey's Anatomy costar of Eric's, Sarah added the news to her Instagram Story along with several crying emojis, writing "Rest in peace."
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Nina Dobrev
“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Eric,” his Redeeming Love costar wrote on her Instagram Stories alongside a picture on set with him. “He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did. He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen.”
She added, “ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease. May his memory inspire more research, awareness, and progress toward a cure. He will be deeply missed.”
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Alyssa Milano
The Charmed actress commemorated her friendship with Eric, who played her onscreen love interest on the show.
"I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective," she wrote on Instagram. "He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard."
And she credited him with her daring 2003 look.
"He convinced me to get my pixie cut and my nose piercing," Alyssa continued. "He also was with me on the walk when we found Lucy, my beloved rescue chihuahua. He called me 'Milano,' as if it was the only part of my name that mattered."
She concluded, "My heart is with the people who were lucky enough to be his home."
Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Kevin McKidd
The Grey’s Anatomy alum—who played Owen Hunt opposite Dane’s Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on the ABC medical drama—shared a photo of his costar to Instagram Stories along with the caption, “Rest in peace buddy.”
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Phaedra Parks
The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum remembered Eric’s moniker on Grey’s Anatomy, writing on Instagram, “Sweet baby Jesus not McSteamy Lord.”
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