Actor Eric Dane Dies at 53 After Battle with ALS

Friends and former co-stars pay tribute to the Grey's Anatomy star who shared his journey with the incurable disease

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Eric Dane, known for his roles in Grey's Anatomy, Charmed, and Euphoria, has died at the age of 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative neurological disorder. Dane's death was confirmed on Thursday, with friends and former co-stars remembering the actor for his humor, talent, and advocacy work around ALS.

Why it matters

Dane's openness about his ALS diagnosis and his efforts to raise awareness about the disease brought much-needed visibility to ALS, a condition that affects thousands of people. His passing is a tragic loss for the entertainment industry and the ALS community, but his legacy will continue through the impact he made by sharing his story.

The details

Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and had been vocal about his desire to continue acting in roles involving the disease. In December, he said it was "imperative" that he share his journey with as many people as possible, as his life was no longer just about him. Dane is survived by his two daughters, whom he shared with actress Rebecca Gayheart. Gayheart and Dane were married in 2004, though she filed for divorce in 2018 before later requesting to dismiss the petition in 2025, a month before Dane's ALS diagnosis was made public.

  • Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025.
  • In December 2025, Dane said he hoped to continue acting in roles involving ALS.
  • Dane's death was confirmed on Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Eric Dane

An actor known for his roles in Grey's Anatomy, Charmed, and Euphoria, who died at the age of 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Ashton Kutcher

A friend of Eric Dane's who paid tribute to the late actor on social media.

Patrick Dempsey

Eric Dane's co-star on Grey's Anatomy, who remembered him as a joyful and funny person to work with.

Alyssa Milano

An actress who co-starred with Eric Dane on Charmed and shared photos and memories of him on Instagram.

Rebecca Gayheart

Eric Dane's wife, with whom he shared two daughters. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018 but later requested to dismiss the petition in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane. We know you'll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let's keep fighting the fight to solve ALS.”

— Ashton Kutcher (X)

“He was the funniest man. He was such a joy to work with. And I just want to remember him in that spirit because anytime he was on set, he brought so much fun to it. He had a great sense of humor … we got along instantly.”

— Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy co-star (Radio show)

“I can't stop seeing that spark in Eric's eye right before he'd say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective. He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard. And when it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren't present. You could see it in the way his voice changed when he said their names. A breathtakingly beautiful family.”

— Alyssa Milano, Charmed co-star (Instagram)

“What a tragedy. He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis. He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS.”

— Maria Shriver, Publisher (Instagram)

What’s next

The ALS advocacy group I Am ALS, which Dane worked with, has said they will continue to honor his legacy and push for progress in finding a cure for the disease.

The takeaway

Eric Dane's openness about his ALS diagnosis and his efforts to raise awareness about the disease brought much-needed visibility to this devastating condition. His passing is a profound loss, but his impact will live on through the lives he touched and the work being done to find a cure for ALS.