Shonda Rhimes Defends Oscars' Exclusion of Eric Dane from In Memoriam

The Grey's Anatomy creator says the late actor will be honored at the Emmys instead.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:39pm

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Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey's Anatomy, has defended the Oscars' decision to exclude the show's star Eric Dane from the In Memoriam tribute during the 2026 ceremony. Rhimes explained that Dane was primarily a television actor, and she believes the Emmys will be the more appropriate venue to honor his legacy. Rhimes praised Dane as an "incredible human being" and a "huge loss" for the Shondaland and Grey's Anatomy families.

Why it matters

Eric Dane's exclusion from the Oscars' In Memoriam segment sparked some backlash from fans, but Rhimes' perspective provides important context. As the creator of the show that made Dane a star, her insights shed light on why the Oscars may have chosen to focus on film actors for that particular tribute.

The details

Dane, who played the beloved character Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on Grey's Anatomy, passed away in February 2026 at the age of 53 after a battle with ALS. While he was not included in the on-air Oscars tribute, Rhimes noted that Dane is featured on the Academy's online In Memoriam page. She expressed confidence that the Emmys will properly honor Dane's television legacy, stating, "I can't wait to see how the Emmys pay tribute to him."

  • Eric Dane passed away on February 19, 2026.
  • The 2026 Oscars ceremony took place on March 15, 2026.

The players

Shonda Rhimes

The creator of the television series Grey's Anatomy, where Eric Dane starred as Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan.

Eric Dane

The late actor who played the beloved character Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on the television series Grey's Anatomy.

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What they’re saying

“Well, he's not a movie star. I feel like when the Emmys come around, he will be immortalized the way he should be. I don't think—we can't fault the Oscars for the fact they're looking at movies, and there were so many people who were lost.”

— Shonda Rhimes, Grey's Anatomy creator

What’s next

The Emmys, which honor television achievements, are expected to pay tribute to Eric Dane's legacy when the ceremony takes place later this year.

The takeaway

Shonda Rhimes' perspective highlights the nuances in honoring actors across different award show formats. While the Oscars may have focused on film actors for their In Memoriam segment, the television community will have the opportunity to properly celebrate Eric Dane's impactful career on shows like Grey's Anatomy.