Eric Dane Remembered After ALS Battle as Rebecca Gayheart Reflects on Early Warning Signs

Actor Eric Dane passed away on February 19 after a 10-month battle with ALS, a progressive neurological disease he was diagnosed with in April of last year.

The 53-year-old performer, widely recognized for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as “McSteamy,” on Grey’s Anatomy, had spoken openly about living with the condition in the months following his diagnosis.

His family confirmed his passing in a statement, noting that he spent his final days surrounded by loved ones.

A Family Statement

In a message shared publicly, Eric Dane’s family expressed their grief while honoring his courage.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” reads a statement from Dane’s family. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters.

Throughout his illness, Dane remained focused on his children and used his platform to raise awareness and funds for ALS research.

Speaking Openly About His Diagnosis

After being diagnosed in April, Dane chose to speak candidly about his experience.

In June, during an appearance on Good Morning America, he described the first symptoms he noticed.

“I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand, and I didn’t really think anything of it at the time,” Eric Dane explained. “I thought maybe I had been texting too much or my hand was fatigued. But a few weeks later I noticed it had gotten a little worse, so I went and saw a hand specialist, and he sent me to another hand specialist.”

He detailed the series of medical consultations that followed.

“I went and saw a neurologist, and they sent me to another neurologist and said this is way above [his] pay grade.”

The progression of appointments eventually led to the confirmation of ALS.

The Call That Changed Everything

When Dane received the diagnosis, he immediately contacted Rebecca Gayheart.

Although the couple had separated in 2017 and Gayheart had filed for divorce in 2018, the legal process had not been finalized.

Shortly before the diagnosis became public, she withdrew the divorce filing.

Appearing on the Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson and Olivia Allen podcast, Gayheart explained her reasoning.

She emphasized the importance of family unity and setting an example for their daughters.

“And he is our family, he is your father. We show up and we try to do it with some dignity and some grace and just get through it, and that we will get through it the best we can,” Gayheart said. “I mean, it’s super complicated for me.”

Her comments reflected the emotional complexity of supporting a loved one while navigating personal history.

Early Signs Before the Diagnosis

While Eric Dane publicly described the weakness in his hand as the first symptom he personally recognized, Rebecca Gayheart later shared that she had observed signs even earlier.

In an essay for The Cut, she recalled subtle changes in his motor skills that initially seemed minor.

“His symptoms started maybe a year prior. When we would have a meal with the kids, he’d say things like, ‘Something’s wrong with my hand,’ ” she wrote.

She described moments at the dinner table when he struggled with coordination.

“He was struggling to use his chopsticks, dropping his food. That was when he started seeing doctors. He was initially diagnosed with a few other things, but he had this sinking feeling that it was something more serious.”

At the time, Gayheart believed the symptoms might not indicate anything severe.

As medical evaluations continued, that initial hope gave way to a more sobering reality.

Processing the News

Gayheart described the moment Dane informed her of the diagnosis as overwhelming.

“When he told me that day, he just started weeping, as did I,” Rebecca Gayheart recealled. “It didn’t feel real because he was still okay.”

She recounted being at home with their youngest daughter when she took the call.

“I was here at home with my youngest daughter — my home, that I share with just the girls, since Eric and I separated in September 2017 — and I’d gone into my closet to take the call, trying to be private. She was saying, ‘Mommy, what’s wrong? What’s wrong?’ I tried telling her, ‘Honey, nothing. Everything’s fine,’ because I couldn’t process it. I didn’t know all the details like I do now, but I knew enough about ALS to know that there wasn’t a cure.”

The diagnosis marked the beginning of a difficult chapter for the family.

Devotion to His Daughters

Following his diagnosis, Dane dedicated much of his time to his daughters.

Family members described them as the center of his world.

Despite the physical challenges posed by ALS, he remained present in their lives and continued to advocate for research and awareness.

His openness about the disease helped shed light on the realities of living with ALS.

By speaking publicly, he contributed to broader conversations about the condition and the need for continued support and funding.

A Career and a Legacy

Eric Dane was best known for portraying Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, a role that earned him widespread recognition and affection from audiences.

The character, often referred to as “McSteamy,” became one of the show’s most memorable figures.

Beyond his professional achievements, those close to him emphasized his role as a father and family man.

His final months were defined not only by medical treatment but also by his commitment to loved ones.

Remembering Eric Dane

The loss of Eric Dane at 53 leaves a profound impact on his family, friends, and fans.

His candid discussions about ALS offered insight into the challenges of the disease while underscoring the importance of compassion and resilience.

Rebecca Gayheart’s reflections on the early warning signs serve as a reminder of how subtly such conditions can begin.

What started as minor hand weakness and difficulty using chopsticks eventually led to a life-changing diagnosis.

Through it all, the family sought to navigate the situation with dignity and grace.

Eric Dane’s legacy includes his contributions to television, his advocacy for ALS awareness, and his devotion to his daughters.

Rest in peace, Eric Dane. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.