Eric Dane’s official cause of death has been confirmed.
The Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria actor died from respiratory failure, according to his death certificate obtained by PEOPLE.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an underlying cause of death.
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Dane’s family confirmed the actor died on February 19, surrounded by loved ones. He was 53.
The tragic news came 10 months after the actor, best known for portraying Dr Mark Sloan in the medical drama, went public with his diagnosis of ALS — the most common form of motor neurone disease.
Dempsey, who portrayed Dr Derek ‘McDreamy’ Shepherd, and Dane, who played Dr Mark ‘McSteamy’ Sloan, starred together on Grey’s Anatomy from 2006 until 2012. Credit: ABCEric Dane now requires full-time care, after ALS diagnosis. Credit: Getty/I Am ALS
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” read the statement.
“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.
“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.”
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually impacting the ability to move, speak, eat and breathe.
While treatment can slow the disease’s progression, there is currently no cure.
Although Dane and his wife Rebecca Gayheart separated in September 2017, she continued to support the father of her children, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.
Eric Dane and his two daughters Billie and Georgia. Credit: GoFundMeGrey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane with wife Rebecca Gayheart. Credit: AAP/Good Morning America
In a first-person piece for The Cut, Gayheart said she made it her “mission” to ensure Dane, who had become restricted to a wheelchair, received the full-time care he required.
After two appeals, she successfully secured around-the-clock nursing care for her former partner.
The final TV interview given by Dane is set to be released as part of a new Netflix series, Famous Last Words.
During the interview with director Brad Falchuk, Dane spoke candidly about the loneliness he experienced, as well as his resilience, sensitivity and deep love for acting, his family and his friends.
“I can feel lonely in a crowded room,” he admitted. Yet even as ALS took more of his body, he described his spirit as unexpectedly bright.
“There’s no reason for me to be happy in any individual moment, but I am,” he said in the Netflix interview.
Dane reflected on trauma that hit him “on a cellular level,” his battles with addiction, the great love of his life and the peace he had made with dying.
Falchuk eventually stepped away so Dane could deliver his final message directly to camera — a farewell meant only for his daughters.
“Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried… Those days we spent at the beach — in Santa Monica, Hawaii, Mexico — were heaven,” Dane said.
A memoir by Dane is scheduled to be published in late 2026.
“I want to capture the moments that shaped me — the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted — so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart. If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling,” he said in a statement announcing the book.
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