‘Grey’s Anatomy’ cast reacts to Eric Dane’s death at 53 after ALS battle

The cast of “Grey’s Anatomy” has reacted to Eric Dane’s heartbreaking death at 53 following his battle with ALS.

Dane portrayed Mark “McSteamy” Sloan for seven seasons on the hit medical drama, beginning with Season 3 in 2006 until the start of Season 9 in 2012.

He starred alongside Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey), Patrick Dempsey (Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd), Kate Walsh (Addison Montgomery Shepherd), Katherine Heigl (Izzie Stevens), Sandra Oh (Cristina Yang), Justin Chambers (Alex Karev), T.R. Knight (George O’Malley), Jesse Williams (Jackson Avery) and more during his seven-year run.

Kevin McKidd, who plays fellow “Grey’s” doc Owen Hunt, led the tributes by posting a picture of Dane in his scrubs. “Rest in Peace, Buddy,” McKidd wrote via his Instagram Stories.

Sarah Drew, who played Dr. April Kepner on “Grey’s” for 9 seasons, shared the same photo in her Instagram Stories, writing, “Rest in peace.”

Dane, who announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, passed away on Thursday.

His loved ones shared the devastating news in a statement to People on Thursday night.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” they wrote.

“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,” Dane’s family added.

The “Euphoria” alum’s family went on to note how Dane became a “passionate advocate for awareness and research” who was “determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight” amid his battle with ALS.

“He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always,” they concluded. “Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”

Dempsey had opened up about Dane’s shocking ALS battle during an interview with Parade less than one month before his beloved former co-star’s passing.

The “Memory of a Killer” star said that he was texting with Dane “a few weeks ago” and revealed that Dane’s diagnosis made it “virtually impossible” for him to guest star on the new Fox show.

“It’s very hard for him, but I do try to stay in touch and see how he’s doing,” Dempsey said during the January interview. “I think he’s been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease.”

“He’s such a wonderful human being,” he added last month. “He has such a great sense of humor, and he’s so intelligent. I’ve always enjoyed working and being around Eric.”

Pompeo, meanwhile, just recently revealed the private conversation she shared with Dane shortly after learning of his debilitating ALS diagnosis.

“As soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him, and I said, ‘I’m here if you want to speak,’” the actress recalled in a pre-taped message shared during the ALS Network Champions for Cures & Care Gala on Jan. 24.

“And my phone rang 30 seconds later,” she shared.

Pompeo told Dane that she was there to help him with whatever he needed and however she could.

“I love you,” she added during the ALS event last month. “I’m really proud of you. I love you so much, and I am honored to get to speak about you today.”

The “Good American Family” star also reflected on the first time Dane joined the “Grey’s” cast as McSteamy 20 years earlier.

“I remember when he came in as McSteamy and us having instant electric chemistry, and I immediately just fell in love with him,” she shared.

Dane and Williams were set to have a mini “Grey’s” reunion during the 2025 Emmy Awards in September 2025 in honor of the hit medical drama’s 20th anniversary.

However, the late “Charmed” alum was forced to miss the event after suffering a fall and splitting his head open shortly before the ceremony.

Although Williams went on to present the award for outstanding directing in a drama series alone, he praised Dane earlier in the night.

“I loved working with him,” Williams said during the red carpet. “On and off screen, that’s my brother.”

Dane, whose passing came exactly 20 years after his first appearance on “Grey’s” in the Season 2 episode “Yesterday” on Feb. 19, 2006, always remembered his time on the show fondly.

“It was fun,” Dane, who returned as McSteamy one last time for a cameo during Season 17 in 2021, shared during a 2022 interview on “The Jess Cagle Show.”

“I love all those people dearly,” he said.