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Tributes continue to pour in following the death of Eric Dane, with former co-star Patrick Dempsey sharing emotional details about the actor's final days.
Dane, widely known for playing Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on Grey's Anatomy, died on February 19 at the age of 53 after battling ALS. In the days since, Dempsey has spoken publicly about the rapid decline his friend experienced toward the end of his life.
Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Dempsey revealed that the disease had severely affected Dane's condition shortly before his passing. He said Dane was "starting to lose his ability to speak" and described how the actor had become bedridden as ALS progressed.
According to Dempsey, swallowing had also become increasingly difficult, and "the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly." The actor noted that he had last communicated with Dane roughly a week before his death.
Despite the devastating progression of the illness, Dempsey chose to focus on the memories they shared while working together on the long-running medical drama. He described Dane as "the funniest man" and "such a joy to work with," adding that the late actor consistently brought energy and humor to the set.
The two actors famously portrayed close colleagues, Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd and Mark "McSteamy" Sloan, and developed a strong friendship that extended beyond the show. Dempsey recalled that there was never any rivalry between them, only mutual respect.
Dane publicly disclosed in 2025 that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, gradually impairing movement and speech. Even as his condition worsened, he continued advocating for ALS awareness and research.
In one of his final public appearances during a 2025 virtual panel for I AM ALS and Synapticure, Dane spoke candidly about maintaining his outlook while living with the illness. He described the disease as "something so horrible" but said he was surprised to find his spirit remained resilient despite the diagnosis.
Dane died surrounded by loved ones, including his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie and Georgia. His family said he spent his final days with those closest to him.
Beyond Grey's Anatomy, Dane was also widely recognized for his role as Cal Jacobs on the HBO drama Euphoria, as well as appearances in films including Burlesque and Marley & Me.
As Hollywood continues to mourn his loss, Dempsey emphasized that Dane's legacy extends beyond his on-screen roles. Remembering their time together, he said he plans to hold onto the moments of laughter and the joy Dane brought to people's lives.
