Eric Dane, known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on the television series “Grey’s Anatomy,” died February 19, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles, according to reports confirmed by multiple news outlets. He was 53 years old.
The official cause of death was respiratory failure, stemming from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), likewise known as Lou Gehrig’s syndrome, according to a death certificate obtained by People magazine. Dane publicly disclosed his diagnosis in April 2025 and subsequently became an advocate for ALS awareness.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.
Despite his diagnosis, Dane continued to work. He appeared in the third season of the HBO series “Euphoria” as Cal Jacobs, a role he reprised even after publicly revealing his illness. He also took on the role of a firefighter grappling with an ALS diagnosis in the series “Brilliant Minds,” a performance he described as “cathartic” but personally challenging, according to reports.
Dane’s condition deteriorated rapidly in January 2026. He was scheduled to be honored as “Advocate of the Year” by the ALS Network at the “Champions for Cures and Care Gala,” but was forced to cancel his appearance due to the physical limitations imposed by the disease.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia. He died surrounded by close friends and family, according to reports.
