Actor Katherine Heigl has paid tribute to her Grey’s Anatomy co-star Eric Dane, who died at the age of 53 after living with ALS. Heigl remembered Dane, best known for playing Dr Mark Sloan, in a heartfelt social media post shared on Sunday.
In her message, Heigl said she had struggled with the idea of grieving publicly. “I debated this post for days. I have never been comfortable grieving publicly,” she wrote, adding that she usually shares her emotions only with close friends and family. However, she explained that staying silent felt inappropriate in this moment. “That silence can often look like a lack of care, which I could not abide here (sic),” she said.
Addressing Dane’s wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie and Georgia, Heigl acknowledged the limitations of words in the face of loss. She wrote that expressions such as condolences and prayers can feel “hollow” during profound grief, and instead shared what has brought her peace while mourning loved ones.
Heigl quoted a verse by American poet Robert Frost, revealing that the poem holds personal meaning for her and is tattooed in her parents’ handwriting. “I will never forget Eric’s gold,” she wrote, thanking his family for sharing him with the world. She ended the note with, “God speed, my old friend here’s to your next great adventure (sic).”
Read her moving tribute here:
Dane starred as Dr Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy from season two through season nine and became one of the show’s most popular characters.
Several of Dane’s former co-stars also shared tributes. Chyler Leigh, who played Lexie Grey, described the loss as “devastating” and remembered Dane as warm, intelligent and generous. Patrick Dempsey, who portrayed Dr Derek Shepherd, called Dane “the funniest man” and said he brought joy to the set every day. Dempsey also acknowledged Dane’s efforts to raise awareness about ALS.
Tributes continue to pour in from across the television industry, remembering Dane not only for his work on screen but also for the impact he had on those who worked alongside him.
