Eric Dane, the acclaimed actor best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on the hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, has died at the age of 53 following a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, US media reported Thursday.
Dane’s family shared the news in a statement, saying, “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” as cited by CBS and other news outlets.
Born in San Francisco, Dane made his television debut in a 1991 episode of Saved by the Bell, before rising to prominence in 2006 with his breakout role on Grey’s Anatomy. Over the years, he appeared in 139 episodes of the medical series, captivating audiences as the charismatic plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Sloan.
In addition to his iconic role on Grey’s Anatomy, Dane also featured in the HBO drama Euphoria, earning further acclaim for his performances on television.