Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane has died at the age of 53 surrounded by his loved ones.
The tragic news comes 10 months after the actor, who starred in the medical drama as Dr Mark Sloan, went public with his diagnosis of ALS — the most common form of motor neurone disease.
Dane’s family confirmed the actor passed away on Thursday in a statement to PEOPLE magazine.
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“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” reads 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.”
Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane with wife Rebecca Gayheart. Credit: AAP/Good Morning AmericaEric Dane with this daughters Georgia and Billie. Credit: FilmMagic
Dane, who starred in the medical drama as Dr Mark Sloan, publicly announced in April he had been diagnosed with ALS — the most common form of motor neurone disease.
The progressive condition eventually impacts 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 had continued to support the father of her children as he battled ALS.
In a first-person piece written for The Cut, Gayheart said she made it her “mission” to ensure Dane, who now uses a wheelchair, received the full-time care he requires.
After two appeals, Gayheart successfully secured around the clock nurse care for her former partner.
“The week is divided into 21 shifts,” she explained.
“There are times that shifts aren’t covered, so I cover them.
“There was a 12-hour shift recently that I could not cover.
“I could only do four hours because of all the stuff that the kids are doing.
“So, I had to call on two of Eric’s friends, one of them who had never really taken care of him in that way.”
Gayheart explained while this was all new territory for everyone involved, they both showed up to support their friend.
She also revealed one of the hardest parts about Dane’s diagnosis being made public is having all eyes on them.
The actress recalled a time they went out for a family dinner and she had to help Dane into his wheelchair.
“We went to have sushi one night, and it was the first time I had to unload the wheelchair and open it and get Eric into it on my own,” Gayheart said.
“And oh my God, I was sweating bullets and there were people watching and taking pictures, and I was so upset because I was really struggling.”
Despite the challenges, Gayheart added she would always want the best for Dane and do right by him.
In April, Dane first announced he was diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
During a Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer, the actor revealed he had lost function in his right arm and was concerned about weakness developing on the left side of his body.
“My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working,” he said at the time.
“I feel like maybe a couple more months and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering.”
Dane and Gayheart have two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.
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