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Millions of fans are mourning actor Eric Dane, best known as “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria, after he died at 53 following a year-long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on Thursday, February 19 2026. The announcement, released by his family, praised Dane’s “courageous spirit, infectious humor and unwavering commitment to fighting ALS” and noted that he passed away surrounded by loved ones in Los Angeles. Subheading: Rapid Rise, Iconic Roles After early appearances on Charmed and X-Men: The Last Stand, Dane rocketed to household status in 2006 as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, a role he held for six seasons. Recent viewers discovered him as the complex patriarch Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, earning him a new generation of followers and critical acclaim. His film credits ranged from Marley & Me to HBO’s The Last Ship, showcasing a versatility that made him a staple of both network and prestige television. Subheading: Public Battle With ALS Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, describing initial hand weakness that led to tests and a confirmed diagnosis nine months later. He quickly became one of Hollywood’s most prominent voices for ALS awareness, joining the boards of Target ALS and I Am ALS, recording PSAs, and lobbying on Capitol Hill for increased federal research funding. His final public appearance came in December 2025 during an I Am ALS Giving Tuesday livestream, where he called the disease “horrible, but not unbeatable”. Subheading: Family and Personal Life Dane is survived by wife Rebecca Gayheart, from whom he separated in 2018 but reconciled after his diagnosis, and their two daughters, Billie (15) and Georgia (13). Gayheart recently called herself his “biggest champion,” focusing on co-parenting while supporting his advocacy. Subheading: Legacy and Next Steps Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes, co-star Ellen Pompeo and Euphoria’s Sam Levinson each issued tributes lauding Dane’s generosity on set and his determination to “turn personal tragedy into public good.” HBO confirmed all Season 3 episodes of Euphoria will carry a memorial card. Meanwhile, Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, co-written by Dane and journalist Brian Wallach, remains scheduled for April 2026 publication, with proceeds earmarked for ALS gene-therapy trials. SEO Keywords: Eric Dane dead, Eric Dane ALS, Grey’s Anatomy star dies, McSteamy death, Eric Dane obituary, ALS awareness, Euphoria actor death. Fans wishing to honor Dane are encouraged to donate to the ALS Association or share memories on social media using #LiveLikeDane, a hashtag he launched to spotlight resilience amid neurodegenerative illness.