Eric Dane passed away on February 19, 2026, at age 53 following a battle with ALS. His wife, Rebecca Gayheart, returned to Instagram with family photos and a thank-you message linked to a GoFundMe for their daughters. Girlfriend Janell Shirtcliff also posted sweet memories of their time together.
Oh, Hollywood hearts are breaking 💔. The Grey's Anatomy icon, forever McSteamy as Dr. Mark Sloan, left us way too soon after fighting ALS, which he went public with just 10 months earlier in April 2025. Dane, who joined the show as a guest in season 2 back in 2005 and stayed for 140 episodes until 2012, also lit up Euphoria and even filmed scenes for its upcoming season three, set to drop on HBO April 12.
Rebecca Gayheart, 54, his wife since October 2004, broke her social media silence on February 21. The actress and model shared throwback photos of Eric grinning with their teenage daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14—think snowy days and cozy bed mornings that scream devoted dad vibes. She captioned one with “Thank you to everyone,” linking to the GoFundMe launched by friends to support the girls' future needs. Goal: $250,000. Raised so far: $188,000, including a whopping $27,000 from Euphoria creator Sam Levinson and wife Ashley. Rebecca re-posted tributes too, staying strong after they separated in 2018 but dismissed the divorce in March 2025, post-diagnosis. In a Netflix special, Eric spilled, "I will have never, by the time anyone sees this, have fallen in love with another woman as deeply as I fell in love with Rebecca." He added they still “deeply” loved each other.
Enter Janell Shirtcliff, 42, the photographer who was Eric's girlfriend for four years. They made their red carpet debut at the Countdown premiere in LA on June 18, 2025—his first and last public outing since the ALS news. On February 20 and 21, she dropped an emotional Instagram Story dump: hand-holding snaps, a kissing pic, a singing video on a cliffside drive, him smiling mid-tattoo, and horse poses. No words, just pure feels.
Co-stars are pouring out the tea. Chyler Leigh, who played his onscreen love Lexie Grey, told E! News, “The last 48 hours have been devastating... Eric had a heart of gold. His humor and laugh was infectious.” She called him a fierce dad and passionate advocate. Sam Levinson echoed, “I’m heartbroken... Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift.” The family statement? “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters.” Eric advocated hard for ALS awareness till the end.
Family announced his passing to People: surrounded by loved ones, forever grateful for fan love. Privacy requested as they grieve. So, in this messy month that also took James Van Der Beek on February 11, is Tinseltown's bromance heaven now packed?
