Hollywood is mourning the death of actor Eric Dane, the face millions knew as “McSteamy” from Grey’s Anatomy, who died on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 53 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family confirmed his passing in a statement carried by multiple outlets, saying he died surrounded by loved ones, including his wife Rebecca Gayheart and their daughters.

Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, choosing to make his illness public as his symptoms progressed—an unusually direct move in an industry where stars often disappear behind privacy walls. In interviews and coverage following his disclosure, Dane framed the decision as purposeful, signaling he wanted his decline to spotlight the brutal speed and unpredictability of the disease.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative neurological condition that progressively robs patients of muscle control. While many live several years after diagnosis, the course can vary dramatically—an ugly reality his death is now forcing into the center of pop-culture conversation.

Dane’s career spanned far beyond his iconic Grey’s Anatomy era (2006–2012). He later anchored action series The Last Ship and reached a new generation as Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria, continuing to work after his diagnosis.

In the days after his announcement, Dane increasingly used his platform to push ALS awareness—an advocacy role AP reported earned him recognition from the ALS Network. Now, fans are flooding social media with tributes, freezing him in the image of charisma and confidence—while the reality of his final months rewrites the story into something far darker and more human.