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Eric Dane starred on seven seasons of Grey’s Anatomy before his character, Mark Sloan, was killed in a fatal plane crash.
Dane joined the ABC medical drama in 2006’s season 2 as plastic surgeon Mark Sloan.
“I’m proud of [my career]. All of it got me to where I am today,” Dane recalled in a Famous Last Words interview, which premiered on Netflix hours after his death in February 2026. “There was a ton of experience in there. Life experience, personal, professional. I think when I really tried to be good and approached the craft with a certain amount of effort and focus that I was capable of doing some pretty good work.”
Dane appeared on Grey’s through the season 9 premiere, during which his character died after sustaining injuries in a private jet accident. Keep scrolling for more on Dane’s Grey’s Anatomy journey:
Why Eric Dane Was Written Off the Show
Eric Dane claimed on a 2024 episode of the “Armchair Expert” podcast that he was “let go” from the medical series.
“I think I was let go,” he said, insisting that his departure was not because he entered a treatment center in 2011 over his prescription drug usage. “It definitely didn’t help. I was starting to become, as most of these actors who have spent significant time on a show, you start to become very expensive for the network.”
Dane continued, “The network knows that the show is going to do what it’s going to do irrespective of who they keep on it. As long as they have their Grey, they’re fine. I wasn’t the same guy they had hired, so I understood when I was let go.”
Dane further stressed that show creator Shonda Rhimes was “really great” about his exit.
“She protected us fiercely. She protected us publicly. She protected us privately,” he acknowledged. “But I was probably fired. It wasn’t ceremoniously like, ‘You’re fired,’ it was just like, ‘You’re not coming back.’”
What Eric Dane Thought About His Last ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Scenes
“I think they did a good job with that departure,” Eric Dane said in an AOL Build Series interview in 2017. “I had a great time with [everyone, and I am] still friends with Shonda to this day.”
Eric Dane Says ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Helped His Sobriety
Eric Dane had struggled with substance abuse before joining Grey’s Anatomy.
“I’m not good with a lot of time on my hands,” Dane said in Famous Last Words, which aired posthumously. “I need structure and [Grey’s Anatomy] provided a lot of structure for me. When we stopped short for the writers’ strike, I had months off and I found my way back to drugs and alcohol. I knew better because, at that time, I had been sober for about nine years, so I knew better.”
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Cast and Crew React to Eric Dane’s Death
Eric Dane died in February 2026 at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS. The series production company, as well as cast members and showrunners all since offered their condolences.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Eric Dane,” a statement from ABC and 20th Television read. “His remarkable talent and unforgettable presence on Grey’s Anatomy left a lasting impact on audiences around the world, and his courage and grace during his battle with ALS inspired so many. Our hearts are with his family, friends and colleagues, as well as the many fans whose lives were touched by his work.”
Dane is survived by his two daughters, whom he shared with Rebecca Gayheart.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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