Patrick Dempsey Remembers Eric Dane’s ‘Humor’ and Final Days

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Eric Dane, who died on February 19 at the age of 53. On February 21, Chyler Leigh, who played his Grey’s Anatomy love interest, reflected on Dane’s “heart of gold.” The actor eulogized the McSteamy to Lexie. “The last 48 hours have been devastating,” Leigh said in a statement to E! News. “I never thought I would be using the term ‘had or was,’ but here we are. And I hate it.”

Mark Sloan (Dane) and Lexie Grey (Leigh) were one of the great love stories on Grey’s Anatomy. Their deaths are still considered one of the biggest tragedies to befall Meredith Grey, which is saying something considering all the trauma she’s been through. As fans mourn Dane’s death, they’ve been resharing both his and Leigh’s final scenes on the show, as well as their characters’ reunion in heaven. “Eric had a heart of gold,” Leigh said. “His humor and, especially, his laugh was infectious. He was a deeply intelligent man who could carry a philosophical conversation for hours even while we were on set. He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY. Incredibly passionate about his work and the causes he kept close to his heart.”

“The Universe is undoubtedly holding Eric now,” she concluded, “just as I will continue to do within my heart forever.”

Patrick Dempsey told Virgin Radio UK that he had been in communication with his former Grey’s Anatomy co-star about a week prior to his death, recalling that the actor’s quality of life had been “deteriorating so rapidly.” Dempsey went on to pay tribute to Dane’s “sense of humor,” love for his family, and “brave” commitment to sharing his experience with ALS and working toward a cure.

After Dane’s episode of Famous Last Words dropped on Netflix, his Euphoria co-stars shared clips. Both Sydney Sweeney and Barbie Ferreira shared the video of Dane’s direct address to his daughters. “I hope I’ve demonstrated that you can face anything, you can face the end of your days, you can face hell with dignity,” he said. “Fight, girls, and hold your heads high.”

Below, find Dempsey’s full remembrance for Dane, as well as tributes from Sam Levinson, Alyssa Milano, Nina Dobrev, Ashton Kutcher, Paul Walter Hauser, and more.

Heigl, who worked with Dane on Grey’s for five seasons, quoted Robert Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay” in her Instagram tribute to her cast mate. “I debated this post for days. I have never been comfortable grieving publicly,” she wrote. “I share my tears, my stories and my memories with those I’m closest to and more times than not I share them only with the heavens alone. But that silence can often look like a lack of care which I could not abide here.”

Grey’s Anatomy creator Rhimes remembered Dane’s charm and wit as Dr. Sloan, a.k.a. McSteamy. “He was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the world,” she shared.

Capshaw, who plays Dr. Robbins on Grey’s Anatomy, reflected on their characters’ relationship over the course of their time on the show. “For five seasons, Arizona and Mark shared witty banter, hard truths, big laughs (and cries), and so much of their hearts with one another. Beneath that confident charm lived a unique softness and a fierce love for his people that was rare and that only Eric could have brought to that character,” she wrote.

His Grey’s co-star Walsh remembered her time with Dane on set and shared that she’s thinking of Dane’s wife and his daughters.

During an appearance on Virgin Radio UK, Dempsey shared that he had spoken with Dane over text about a week prior to his death. He recalled that Dane’s quality of life had been “deteriorating so rapidly,” noting that his late Grey’s Anatomy co-star was bedridden, losing his ability to speak, and finding it difficult to swallow. But Dempsey emphasized that he wants to remember Dane in the joyful spirit that he had at work. “Anytime he was on set, he brought so much fun to it,” he said. “He had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with. We got along instantly.”

Despite joking that seeing Dane in a towel in their first scene together had made him feel “out of shape and insignificant,” Dempsey clarified that there was never a sense of competition between them. “I’m always going to remember those moments of fun that we had together and celebrate the joy that he did bring to people’s lives,” he said. He went on to praise Dane’s “brave” commitment to bringing awareness to ALS in his final days. “It just reminds us that we all have to celebrate every day like it’s our last day,” Dempsey said, adding that in a world of “so much crisis” where a “corrupt government” is running America, it’s important to remember how to treat other people with “the right value.”

Dane’s Euphoria co-stars both shared a clip of Dane from his episode of Famous Last Words. “Forever will love you,” Sweeney wrote over the clip.

Dobrev described her Redeeming Love co-star in an Instagram Story tribute as “warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did,” going on to write that she hopes Dane’s memory will lead to progress toward a cure for the “cruel and unforgiving disease” ALS. “He will be deeply missed,” she concluded. “Sending love and heartfelt condolences to his family.”

“RIP, Buddy. Me and @realericdane played brothers years ago in a beautiful movie called, Wedding Wars,” Stamos wrote on Instagram. “Good guy. Too soon.”

Lawrence, who starred alongside Dane in 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die, sent his condolences to his late co-star’s family on Instagram. “I can tell you firsthand — solid brotha, true professional, and brought that presence every single time,” he captioned a pair of set photos. “Much love!”

Shriver — whose Penguin Random House imprint, Open Field, is set to release Dane’s memoir, Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, later this year — wrote in a lengthy Instagram tribute that she was “heartbroken” by Dane’s death. “I was honored he chose my publishing imprint to publish his memoir,” she wrote. “He told me he wanted his family to know how much he loved them, and he wanted to leave them a story they could be proud of.” She sent her love to Dane’s family and anyone who is battling ALS or caring for a loved one who has it, alongside a heart emoji. “Godspeed, Eric. It was an honor to know you, and we will honor your story.”

Milano starred as Phoebe in Charmed, who works with and dates Dane’s character, Jason. “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,” she wrote on Instagram. “He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard.”

Milano went on to remember Dane’s “mischief,” “tenderness,” and the way he “softened” when it came to his “breathtakingly beautiful family.” She reflected on how Dane had been part of several key events in her life, noting that he was the person who convinced her to get a pixie cut and pierce her nose, and that he had been on a walk with her when she found her rescue Chihuahua, before concluding that her heart is “with the people who were lucky enough to be his home.”

“I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor,” the Euphoria creator wrote in a statement to Variety. “Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.”

Raver, who still plays Dr. Teddy Altman on Grey’s Anatomy, remembered her former co-worker. “During filming he’d get this twinkle in his eye and with a mischievous look, he would deliver with perfect comedic timing, a line of dialogue that would floor you!” she wrote.

“We tried to book gigs, we tried to laugh at the pain and we tried to stay sober. I’m glad we got to play together in Americana,” Hauser wrote in an Instagram post that went on to directly address his Americana co-star. “I love you, man,” he wrote. “I wish we had more time. Enjoy the arms of Father God. I’ll see you again. 🫡.”

The nonprofit organization that Dane worked with to raise awareness about ALS issued a lengthy statement following his death that praised him as a “true champion” in the movement to end the disease. Read the full statement below:

We are heartbroken by the passing of our friend Eric Dane—a fierce advocate, a generous spirit, and a true champion in the movement to end ALS.

Eric used his platform not for attention, but for action. From the moment he joined I AM ALS, he showed up with courage and conviction, asking how he could use his superpowers to help the movement grow. It was an honor to brainstorm with him, to walk alongside him in the halls of Congress on behalf of our community, amplify the urgent need for ACT for ALS and research funding, and drive toward treatments and, ultimately, a cure. He understood that ALS is not just a diagnosis; it is a call to action for families, for answers, and for change.

Eric brought humility, humor, and visibility to ALS and reminded the world that progress is possible when we refuse to remain silent. Eric was more than a supporter of our mission—he was part of our family. His impact will live on in the research being funded, the policies being advanced, and the community he helped grow by his honesty, his bravery, and his belief in a better future for anyone struggling with this diagnosis.

We honor Eric by continuing the work he believed in so deeply: mobilizing communities, driving critical research, securing essential funding, and fighting relentlessly for real solutions.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones and our entire community. I AM ALS will carry his legacy forward—until ALS is no more.

Dane’s Valentine’s Day co-star tweeted that “the Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss” Dane, who they know will be “watching from the booth.” Kutcher ended his message with a call to continue working toward a cure for ALS.

The former Grey’s showrunner shared texts with Dane on Instagram from when his character returned from Heaven to the show in Meredith Grey’s COVID coma. “I called Eric and he answered immediately. I said will you come back? I know it’s a pandemic and shooting is a nightmare, but we’re gonna do it on the beach and keep our social distance because the world needs joy and Mark and Lexie are joy,” she wrote. “He said where and when.” Vernoff also added what she would miss most about the actor: “What I will remember most about Eric Dane are his hugs,” she wrote. “The best hugs. Oh my friend. I wish you peace.”