Grey's Anatomy Star Trevor Jackson Mourns 'Big Loss' of Alum Eric Dane

The newest cast member reflects on the legacy of the beloved 'McSteamy' actor who recently passed away.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Grey's Anatomy's newest breakout star Trevor Jackson expressed his sadness over the recent death of former cast member Eric Dane, who played the beloved character Dr. Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan on the long-running medical drama. Though he never met Dane, Jackson said he admired the actor's charismatic performance on the show, calling him 'such a charismatic guy' whose work he 'admired.' Jackson also praised the 'amazing people' and 'lot of love' on the Grey's Anatomy set, sentiments echoed by many of Dane's former co-stars who have paid tribute to the late actor following his passing.

Why it matters

Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Grey's Anatomy family, with his character Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan becoming a fan-favorite over his many seasons on the show. His death has been deeply felt by the cast and crew, who have shared heartfelt memories and tributes highlighting Dane's talent, humor, and kind spirit. As a newer member of the Grey's ensemble, Trevor Jackson's reflections on Dane's legacy provide insight into how the show's legacy continues to impact both longtime and newer cast members.

The details

In an exclusive interview with E! News, Trevor Jackson, who joined the Grey's Anatomy cast in season 21, shared his admiration for Eric Dane's work on the show, calling him 'such a charismatic guy' whose performance he 'admired.' Jackson also praised the overall positive energy and 'lot of love' on the Grey's Anatomy set, sentiments that have been echoed by many of Dane's former co-stars in the wake of his passing. The show itself paid tribute to Dane's character with a montage of Dr. Sloan's best moments, including his friendship with Callie Torres, his time in the 'plastics posse' with Jackson Avery, and his romance with Lexie Grey.

  • Eric Dane passed away on February 19, 2026 following a battle with ALS.
  • Trevor Jackson shared his reflections on Dane's legacy in an interview at the NAACP Image Awards on February 28, 2026.

The players

Trevor Jackson

The newest cast member of Grey's Anatomy who joined the show in season 21.

Eric Dane

The actor who played the beloved character Dr. Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan on Grey's Anatomy for many seasons.

Callie Torres

A character on Grey's Anatomy who had a close friendship with Dr. Mark Sloan.

Jackson Avery

A character on Grey's Anatomy who was part of the 'plastics posse' with Dr. Mark Sloan.

Lexie Grey

A character on Grey's Anatomy who had a romantic relationship with Dr. Mark Sloan.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He's such a charismatic guy. He's definitely somebody that I admired when I watched the show.”

— Trevor Jackson (E! News)

“It's such a legendary show with such amazing people. That literally is my favorite part of being on that show is the energy on set from everybody—from the cast, the crew. It's just a lot of love in the room, and that's all you can ask when you go to work.”

— Trevor Jackson (E! News)

The takeaway

Trevor Jackson's reflections on Eric Dane's legacy and the positive energy on the Grey's Anatomy set highlight how the show continues to impact both longtime and newer cast members, even after the passing of beloved actors like Dane. The outpouring of tributes from Dane's co-stars underscores his lasting mark on the series and the close-knit community it has fostered over its many years on the air.