3 days ago
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Following the Thursday evening announcement of the passing of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Euphoria,” and “Charmed” star Eric Dane, loving tributes have begun to pour in from the actor’s co-stars, directors, and many more. The actor died at age 53, less than a year after publicly announcing that he had been diagnosed with ALS.
“Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson, who worked with Dane on the HBO series, was quick to share his affection for the actor. Dane starred in the series as Cal Jacobs, the troubled father of Jacob Elordi’s Nate Jacobs, and will be seen in the upcoming Season 3.
“I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. 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,” Levinson said in a statement provided to Variety.
On its official Instagram page, HBOMax shared its own message: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Eric Dane’s passing. He was incredibly talented and HBO was fortunate to have worked with him on three seasons of ‘Euphoria.’ Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Dane was perhaps best known for his career-changing role on “Grey’s Anatomy.” In 2006, he appeared as a guest star in Season 2 of “Grey’s Anatomy.” He then became a series regular in Season 3, and his character, nicknamed “McSteamy,” remained a fixture of the show for six seasons. He departed the medical drama at the start of Season 9, but later returned for a dream sequence in a 2021 episode.
“Eric was a light. 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,” Kim Raver, who portrays Dr. Teddy Altman on “Grey’s,” posted on her Instagram. “My love and thoughts go out to Rebecca and their girls. We love you.”
Other “Grey’s” alumni, including Kevin McKidd and Sarah Drew, also took to social media after Dane’s passing was announced. McKidd reposted on his Instagram Stories a photo shared by Variety of Dane on the “Grey’s Anatomy” set. “Rest in peace buddy..,” McKidd wrote over the image. Drew shared the same photo on her own Instagram Stories, writing, “Rest in peace,” alongside three crying emojis.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Eric Dane,” ABC and 20th Television said in a statement, via Variety. “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. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the many fans whose lives were touched by his work.”
Kevin McKidd, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, and Sara Ramirez on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’©ABC/Courtesy Everett CollectionA number of Dane’s other former co-stars, including Alyssa Milano and Nina Dobrev, also shared their tributes and sentiments on social media.
Milano, who worked with Dane on “Charmed,” shared in a touching tribute on Instagram, “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. He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard. And when it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren’t present. You could see it in the way his voice changed when he said their names. A breathtakingly beautiful family. The spark. The mischief. The tenderness he kept guarded but never totally hidden.”
Dobrev, who starred in the 2022 film “Redeeming Love” with Dane, wrote in a tribute on her Instagram Story, “Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Eric. He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did. He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen. ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease. May his memory inspire more research, awareness, and progress toward a cure. He will be deeply missed. Sending love and heartfelt condolensces to his family.”
On Friday morning, the ALS advocacy movement and support organization I AM ALS, which Dane had worked closely with after his diagnosis, released its own statement on his passing. You can read it in full below:
“We are heartbroken by the passing of our friend Eric Dane — a fierce advocate, a generous spirit, and a true champion in the movement to end ALS.
Eric used his platform not for attention, but for action. From the moment he joined I AM ALS, he showed up with courage and conviction, asking how he could use his superpowers to help the movement grow. It was an honor to brainstorm with him, to walk alongside him in the halls of Congress on behalf of our community, amplify the urgent need for ACT for ALS and research funding, and drive toward treatments and, ultimately, a cure. He understood that ALS is not just a diagnosis; it is a call to action for families, for answers, and for change.
Eric brought humility, humor, and visibility to ALS and reminded the world that progress is possible when we refuse to remain silent. Eric was more than a supporter of our mission — he was part of our family. His impact will live on in the research being funded, the policies being advanced, and the community he helped grow by his honesty, his bravery, and his belief in a better future for anyone struggling with this diagnosis.
We honor Eric by continuing the work he believed in so deeply: mobilizing communities, driving critical research, securing essential funding, and fighting relentlessly for real solutions.
Our thoughts are with his loved ones and our entire community. I AM ALS will carry his legacy forward — until ALS is no more.”
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