Eric Dane’s underlying illness confirmed after death at 53

EntertainmentHealth & Fitness
3 Mar 2026 • 9:59 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Actor Eric Dane, known for his roles in Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, passed away on 19 February at the age of 53.
  • His death was attributed to respiratory failure, with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease, confirmed as the underlying cause.
  • Dane had previously announced his ALS diagnosis and became a passionate advocate for awareness and research into the condition.
  • He spent his final days surrounded by his family, including his devoted wife Rebecca Gayheart and their two daughters.
  • Tributes were shared by co-stars and creators, with Patrick Dempsey remembering him as 'the funniest man' and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson expressing heartbreak.

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