Black history month
BLACK mobile logo

california

politics

Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane dies at 53 after ALS diagnosis

February 20, 2026

Actor Eric Dane passed away at age 53 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), less than a year following his April 2025 diagnosis. The California native gained fame portraying Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, along with roles in productions like The Last Ship, Charmed, and various films. During his final months, Dane devoted himself to fundraising and advocacy efforts for ALS research, joining the board of Target ALS and helping campaigns exceed their financial goals.

Who is affected

  • Eric Dane (deceased)
  • Rebecca Gayheart (Dane's wife)
  • Billie and Georgia (Dane's two daughters)
  • Dane's family and friends
  • Former co-stars including Patrick Dempsey, Kim Raver, Kevin McKidd, Alyssa Milano, Ashton Kutcher, and Nina Dobrev
  • Euphoria creator Sam Levinson
  • Target ALS organization
  • ALS/MND patients and their families
  • Eric Dane's fans

What action is being taken

  • No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article. The article describes past actions (Dane's advocacy work, fundraising campaigns, joining Target ALS board) but these ended with his death. Tributes and statements are being made by co-stars and family, but these are responses rather than ongoing initiatives.

Why it matters

  • This matters because it highlights the devastating impact of ALS, a progressive degenerative disease with no cure that typically results in death within three to five years of diagnosis. Dane's high-profile diagnosis and subsequent advocacy helped raise significant awareness and funds for ALS research, with his campaign helping Target ALS surpass $500,000 in fundraising. His death underscores the urgent need for continued research into effective treatments and a cure for this cruel disease. Additionally, his visibility as a beloved actor brought mainstream attention to ALS, potentially inspiring continued progress toward understanding and treating the condition.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC

Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane dies at 53 after ALS diagnosis