Hollywood actor Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, has died at age 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), his representatives confirmed Thursday.

News of his passing was confirmed Thursday afternoon, months after Dane publicly revealed he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological illness. According to a statement from his representatives, he spent his final days surrounded by those closest to him — including his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie and Georgia.

Dane rose to global fame in 2006 with a brief but unforgettable appearance on the Shonda Rhimes hit series. What began as a short-term role quickly evolved into an eight-season run as the charming yet complicated plastic surgeon nicknamed “McSteamy.” His chemistry with co-stars including Patrick Dempsey and Kate Walsh helped cement the show’s status as a cultural phenomenon. He ultimately appeared in more than 130 episodes before his character met a tragic end.

Beyond Seattle Grace Hospital, Dane showcased his range on television and film. He led the TNT action drama The Last Ship for five seasons and later portrayed a deeply flawed patriarch on HBO’s Euphoria. 

On the big screen, he stepped into the superhero universe in X-Men: The Last Stand and appeared in the family hit Marley & Me.

Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane faced personal hardship early in life following the death of his father. He discovered acting in high school and soon relocated to Los Angeles to pursue the craft full-time. Early appearances in series like Charmed paved the way for the breakthrough that would change his career.

In later years, Dane spoke candidly about his battles with addiction and depression, as well as the professional setbacks that followed. Still, he remained active onscreen, taking on roles in projects including Bad Boys: Ride or Die and the Prime Video series Countdown. In a poignant twist, one of his final performances involved portraying a firefighter living with ALS.

After sharing his diagnosis publicly, Dane became an advocate for awareness and research, expressing both anger and heartbreak over the possibility of leaving his daughters too soon — a pain shaped by losing his own father at a young age. Yet through it all, he emphasized gratitude for his family and the fans who stood by him.