Actor Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on the long-running television series Grey’s Anatomy, died February 19th at the age of 53, following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. The diagnosis was made public less than a year before his death.
The ABC medical drama honored Dane’s legacy with a 60-second montage aired during the February 26th episode, titled “(If You Want It) Do It Yourself.” The tribute featured memorable moments from his seven seasons on the show, including his character’s self-proclaimed title with Jackson Avery as the “Plastics Posse,” his friendship with Callie Torres, and his relationship with Lexie Grey. The montage concluded with a scene from season 17, where his character appeared to Meredith Grey on a dream beach, advising her, “Don’t waste one single minute.”
The tribute was set to Tommee Profitt and Fleurie’s cover of Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars,” a song frequently used during emotionally resonant moments throughout the series’ run, including a previous montage marking the show’s 400th episode in 2022. The closing text of the tribute read, “In loving memory of Eric Dane. 1972 – 2026.”
Dane initially joined Grey’s Anatomy as a guest star in season two, portraying an acquaintance of Derek Shepherd with a complicated history. He became a series regular in the following season and remained a central figure until his character’s death in the season eight finale, alongside Chyler Leigh’s Lexie Grey, due to injuries sustained in a plane crash.
Following the news of his death, numerous colleagues and peers from the show, including Patrick Dempsey, Kim Raver, and series creator Shonda Rhimes, publicly expressed their grief. The official Grey’s Anatomy social media account too shared the tribute montage, prompting an outpouring of emotion from fans. One fan wrote on X, “I can’t take it, this song, all these unforgettable moments, our McSteamy, you will be forever missed Eric.”
ALS, also known as motor neurone disease, is a condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually, death. Dane publicly disclosed his diagnosis last year and reportedly used his platform to raise awareness of the disease.
