bitchy | Eric Dane has passed away at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS (update: last words)

Eric Dane has passed away at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS. Dane confirmed his ALS diagnosis last April, in a big People Magazine interview and cover story. The older I get, the younger “53” seems, damn. Dane is best known for his role as “McSteamy” in Grey’s Anatomy, but he also worked a lot in recent years, in projects like Euphoria and other TV shows, probably to bank some money for his family and keep in good standing for his SAG health insurance. He is survived by his wife Rebecca Gayheart and their two daughters.

Eric Dane, the actor best known as the charming plastic surgeon nicknamed McSteamy on the wildly successful ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” has died. He was 53.

His death was confirmed by his publicist Melissa Bank. He had been treated for A.L.S., a neurological disorder also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which breaks down a patient’s ability to control muscles, speak and eventually breathe without assistance.

“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” Ms. Bank said in the statement.

Mr. Dane died 10 months after revealing his A.L.S. diagnosis in People magazine in April 2025. He later spoke in interviews and on social media about the challenges of living with that progressing condition. Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or A.L.S., typically live for only two to five years, though clinical trials for potential therapies have provided hope that lives can be extended by several months.

“I will never forget those three letters,” Mr. Dane said in a 2025 interview with Diane Sawyer on “Good Morning America.” “It’s on me the second I wake up.” During the interview he described the loss of function in his right arm. “It’s not a dream,” he added.

[From The NY Times]

I’m glad Rebecca and their girls were there for him in the end. Eric and Rebecca’s marriage had a lot of ups and downs, breakups and makeups. I feel strongly that Rebecca and Eric agreed to stay married so that she could be there for him in his final months/years. My thoughts are with Rebecca and their daughters.

Note by CB: It’s hard to believe that Eric has passed so young. He helped so many people by going public with his ALS diagnosis and being open about how quickly it progressed and was affecting him. I learned a lot about this disease from him and his legacy will live on in his work and advocacy.

Update by CB: Eric Dane spoke with Brad Falchuk for Netflix’s Famous Last Words. His episode is available on Netflix now. Here’s the incredible message he recorded for his daughters and I’m including the transcript below in case you can’t listen at work.

Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried.

Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we? I remember all the times we spent at the beach.The two of you, me, and Mom in Malibu, Santa Monica, Hawaii, Mexico. I see you now playing in the ocean for hours, my water babies. Those days, pun intended, were heaven.

I wanna tell you four things I’ve learned from this disease, and I hope you won’t just listen to me. I hope you’ll hear me.

First, live now, right now, in the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that.

For years, I would wander off mentally, lost in my head for long chunks of time,wallowing in worry and self-pity, shame, and doubt. I replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. “I should have done this.” “I never should have done that.” No more. Out of pure survival, I am forced to stay in the present. But I don’t wanna be anywhere else.

The past contains regrets. The future remains unknown. So you have to live now. The present is all you have. Treasure it. Cherish every moment.

Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, although I do recommend that as well. But fall in love with something. Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you wanna get up in the morning. Drives you through the entire day. I fell in love for the first time when I was about your age. I fell in love with acting.

That love eventually got me through my darkest hours, my darkest days, my darkest year.
I still love my work. I still look forward to it. I still wanna get in front of a camera and play my part. My work doesn’t define me, but it excites me. Find something. Find something that excites you. Find your path. Your purpose. Your dream. Then go for it. Really go for it.

Third, choose your friends wisely. Find your people and allow them to find you, and then give yourselves to them. The best of them will give back to you. No judgment. No conditions. No questions asked. I’m so thankful for my very close family and friends. Every single one has stepped up.

I can’t do even the little things I used to do. I can’t drive around town, go to the gym, get coffee, hang out. I’ve learned to embrace alternatives. My friends come to me. We eat together, watch a game, listen to music. They don’t do anything special. They just show up. That’s a big one. Just show up. And love your friends with everything you have. Hang on to them. They will entertain you, guide you, help you, support you, and some will save you.

Finally, fight with every ounce of your being and with dignity. When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight. Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.

The two of you are different people. But you’re both strong and resilient. You inherited resiliency from me. That’s my superpower. You knock me down, I bounce right up, and I keep coming back. I get up again and again and again. Mark says I’m like a cat. Except a cat has nine lives, and I’m on number 15 easily. So when something unexpected hits you, and it will, because that’s life, fight and face it with honesty, integrity, and grace, even if it feels or seems insurmountable.

I hope I’ve demonstrated that you can face anything. You can face the end of your days. You can face hell with dignity. Fight, girls, and hold your heads high.

Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.

[From YouTube]

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Craig Sjodin/Avalon, Cover Images, Avalon.red.