The cause of death of actor Eric Dane, who died on February 19, has been revealed by the authorities. The actor was known for his roles on the television series Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria. According to his death certificate obtained by PEOPLE, Dane died from respiratory failure. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was noted as an underlying cause of death, providing further details about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Dane was 53 when he died. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, 15-year-old Billie Beatrice and 13-year-old Georgia Geraldine.
His family confirmed that he died on February 19, nearly a year after revealing his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that damages nerve cells and eventually leads to muscle paralysis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
While there is currently no cure, certain medications and physical therapy treatments can help slow its progression.
The disease is known for its devastating effects on voluntary muscle action, and over time, it can affect the muscles responsible for breathing, swallowing, and speaking.
Dane publicly shared his ALS diagnosis in April 2025.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,” he told PEOPLE at the time. He added, “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to the set of Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and me privacy during this time.”
Throughout his career in Hollywood, the San Francisco native earned widespread recognition for portraying Dr. Mark Sloan, famously nicknamed “McSteamy”, on the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. He also appeared in the TNT post-apocalyptic series The Last Ship and HBO’s Euphoria.
Dane later portrayed the role of an ALS patient in an episode of NBC’s Brilliant Minds, which concluded with a poignant voice-over as his character recorded messages using a speech-generating app often relied upon by patients who lose the ability to speak due to the disease. The role was part of his broader effort to raise awareness about ALS through his work.
