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Katherine Heigl paid tribute to her former Grey's Anatomy costar Eric Dane on Instagram, three days after his death at age 53 following a hard-fought battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
On Sunday, the actress, 47, admitted that she 'debated this post for days' as she has 'never been comfortable grieving publicly.'
'I share my tears, my stories and my memories with those I’m closest to and more times than not I share them only with the heavens alone. But that silence can often look like a lack of care which I could not abide here,' she began.
While addressing Dane's family directly, the mother-of-two wrote to his widow, Rebecca Gayheart, and daughters Billie and Georgia, acknowledging that words often fall short in moments of profound grief.
'There is so little, if in fact anything, one can say about a tragic loss like yours,' she continued, adding that common condolences can feel hollow 'in the midst of so much pain and grief.'
Instead, Heigl turned to literature for comfort, sharing Robert Frost's poem Nothing Gold Can Stay - a piece she revealed is tattooed on her body in her parent's handwriting.
Katherine Heigl paid tribute to her former Grey's Anatomy costar Eric Dane with a deeply personal Instagram tribute on Sunday; seen in 2009
Quoting the poem in full, she reflected on the fleeting nature of life and beauty, writing that she would 'never forget Eric's gold.'
'I will forever be grateful I got to bask in it for even a brief moment in time,' Heigl wrote, before thanking Dane's family for sharing him with the world.
She closed the tribute with a farewell message: 'God speed my old friend…here's to your next great adventure.'
Dane's death was confirmed earlier this week by his loved ones in a statement to People, less than a year after he publicly revealed his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The actor was widely known for his portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately dubbed 'McSteamy', on Grey's Anatomy, joining the series in 2006 and quickly becoming a fan favorite.
Heigl starred on the show as Dr. Izzie Stevens during its early seasons.
Heigl's tribute joins a growing wave of heartfelt messages from Dane's former costars and friends, many of whom have praised not only his talent, but also his warmth, kindness and lasting impact both on and off set.
Kate Walsh, who plays Dr. Addison Montgomery on Grey's Anatomy, recently shared that she was 'at a loss for words to try to express the sadness around Eric's passing' on social media.
Three days after Dane died at age 53 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Heigl admitted that she 'debated this post for days' as she has 'never been comfortable grieving publicly'
While addressing Dane's family directly, Heigl wrote to his widow, Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, acknowledging that words often fall short in moments of profound grief
'First and foremost I am thinking of his girls and Rebecca and holding them in my prayers and my heart,' she wrote. 'I literally remember my very first scene with Eric…an elevator scene at Seattle Greys So, so long ago.'
Walsh added, 'I believe it was his first scene on the show too and he was nervous. He was so handsome and I thought "but can this guy act?" and of course he could, and did, and the rest is history.'
She recalled Dane's 'sensitivity and vulnerability, (and intelligence, of course)' on set as well as his 'gravitas & old soul.'
The actress further penned how the cast had the chance to spend a lot of time together while filming the earlier seasons.
'So we became a family of sorts and Eric was such a source of support and love.'
Walsh concluded with, 'ALS is an awful disease & too many people have lost loved ones to it. I know it was Eric's mission to help find a cure. I would encourage you to look into @targetals in his memory.'
McKidd took to his Instagram stories to repost an image of Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan while adding the text: 'Rest in Peace Buddy.'
'There is so little, if in fact anything, one can say about a tragic loss like yours,' she continued, adding that common condolences can feel hollow 'in the midst of so much pain and grief'
He had joined the cast of Grey's Anatomy back in 2008 to play the character of Dr. Owen Hunt.
Sarah Drew - who portrayed Dr. April Kepner on the show - reposted the same image and penned, 'Rest in peace,' followed by crying face emojis.
20th Television, which includes ABC, issued a statement to Deadline on Thursday shortly after news of Dane's passing came to light.
'We are deeply saddened by the loss of Eric Dane,' it read, before reflecting on the late actor's impact on the show.
'His remarkable talent and unforgettable presence on Grey's Anatomy left a lasting impact on audiences around the world, and his courage and grace during his battle with ALS inspired so many.
Dane's death was confirmed earlier this week by his loved ones in a statement to People, less than a year after he publicly revealed his diagnosis with ALS
Dane pictured with Rebecca Gayheart and their daughters Billie and Georgia in 2017
'Our hearts are with his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the many fans whose lives were touched by his work.'
Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes said, 'Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey’s Anatomy families. 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.'
A special tribute is set to additionally be made to Dane in the upcoming episode of Grey's Anatomy that will air next week on February 26, per Deadline.
In 2006, Dane joined the show as Dr. Sloan but officially left during season 9 after his character died in a plane crash.
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