Patrick Dempsey details ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ co-star Eric Dane’s final days before tragic ALS death

Patrick Dempsey shared several details about his “Grey’s Anatomy” co-star Eric Dane‘s final days before his tragic ALS death.

During a Friday appearance on Virgin Radio UK’s “The Chris Evans Breakfast Show,” Dempsey said, “I just woke up this morning and I was very sad to read the news.”

After taking a beat to gather his thoughts, he continued, “It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children.”

Dane shared daughters Billie and Georgia with estranged wife Rebecca Geyheart. The two got married in 2004 and, although she filed for divorce in 2018, they called it off in March 2025.

The “Memory of a Killer” actor added, “I was corresponding with him, we were texting so I spoke to him about a week ago and some friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak.

“He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.”

Dempsey, 60, went on to remember Dane as the “funniest man” and “such a joy to work with.

“I just want to remember him in that spirit because any time he was on [the “Grey’s Anatomy”] set, he brought so much fun to it,” he noted before adding that they “got along instantly.”

The actor — who played Derek Shepherd — recalled Dane’s first appearance on the show as Mark Sloan during Season 2 in 2006.

“First scene was him in all of his glory coming out of the bathroom with a towel on, looking amazing, making me feel completely out of shape and insignificant,” he remembered with a laugh.

“We hit it off because there was never really any competition. There was this wonderful mutual respect; he’s wickedly intelligent and I’m always going to remember those moments of fun that we had together and celebrate the joy that he did bring to people’s lives.”

Dempsey also praised the “Euphoria” actor for bringing awareness to ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease) “in those remaining days.”

“He did an incredible job at bringing awareness to this horrible disease and those remaining days and it just reminds us that we all have to celebrate every day like it’s our last day,” the actor said.

“It’s something that we have to remember and certainly in a world where there is just so much crisis and there is so much tragedy that we really need to be grateful for every moment that we have … spend time with our families, do things that are better, that benefit of other people to be of service to be kind, to be loving.”

Dempsey joined the rest of his “Grey’s Anatomy” cast in remembering Dane following his shocking death at 53.

On Thursday evening, his family shared a statement with the tragic news.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” the statement began. “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight.

“He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. 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.”

Dane initially shared his diagnosis in April 2025, and, despite quickly losing the ability to control his limbs, he continued acting.

Most recently, he appeared on Season 2 of NBC’s “Brilliant Minds,” in which he played a firefighter diagnosed with ALS.