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Patrick Dempsey starred in Grey’s Anatomy alongside the late Eric Dane for several years (Picture: Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
In a statement, his family announced he had died on Thursday after a ‘courageous battle with ALS’.
The screenstar was known for his stint on the ABC medical drama as Dr Mark ‘McSteamy’ Sloan from 2006 to 2012, as well as his role in Euphoria. His most recent project was in Brilliant Minds, in which he played a firefighter hiding an ALS diagnosis.
Following the news of his death, tributes have poured in for the beloved actor, from fans, friends and former co-stars, including Dempsey, who worked closely with him for half-a-decade.
Addressing it on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio, he said it was ‘hard to put into words’, and he felt ‘really so sad for his children’.’ Dane is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia.
Patrick Dempsey called him ‘wickedly intelligent’ and ‘the funniest man’ (Picture: Getty)
His last project was in medical drama Brilliant Minds (Picture: Pief Weyman/NBC via Getty Images)
He continued: ‘I was corresponding with him, we were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago, and some friends of ours went in to see him, and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak.
‘He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.
‘He was the funniest man – he was such a joy to work with, and I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it. He had a great sense of humour.
‘He was easy to work with, we got along instantly. First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on, looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant.’
He starred on the medical drama from 2006 to 2012 (Picture: ABC Inc/Everett/Shutterstock)
Praising the ‘wonderful mutual respect’ they cultivated between them, he also said Dane was ‘wickedly intelligent’, with plans to ‘celebrate the joy’ he brought to people’s lives.
Noting the awareness Dane had brought to this ‘horrible disease’, he concluded that it was a reminder to ‘celebrate every day like it’s our last day’.
What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
According to the NHS, ALS is the most common form of MND and accounts for about 60 to 70% of the total MND cases.
Men are more commonly affected than women. In this type of MND, both the upper motor neurones and lower motor neurones degenerate at the same time.
Symptoms and signs depend upon the area of the body where the muscles are affected first (e.g. arm or leg) and can include muscle wasting, weakness, stiffness, cramps and rippling of the muscles, known as fasciculations.
Over time, as ALS progresses, different areas of the body become involved. Involvement of the muscles controlling speech, swallowing and breathing can also occur.
‘It’s something that we have to remember and certainly in a world where there is just os much crisis, and there is so much tragedy that we really need to be grateful for every moment that we have,’ he said.
Kevin McKidd, who played Owen Hunt on Grey’s, wrote ‘Rest in Peace, Buddy’ on his Instagram story.
Fellow co-stars like Kim Raver have also shared their tributes on social media (Picture: Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Kim Raver, who starred as Dr Teddy Altman, wrote on Instagram that he was a ‘light’.
‘You’d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Grey’s as well as when he was with Rebecca and the girls. During filming, he’d get this twinkle in his eye and with a mischievous look, he would deliver with perfect comedic timing, a line of dialogue that would floor you! You will be missed,’ she wrote.
Executive producer Krista Vernoff said ‘the thing I will remember most about Eric Dane are his hugs. The best hugs. Oh my friend. I wish you peace.’
He spoke about his ALS diagnosis and raised awarness about the disease (Picture: Getty/AFP)
Elsewhere, an ABC and 20th Television spokesperson shared: ‘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.’
Meanwhile, in his own tribute, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson added: ‘I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honour. Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.’
Ellen Pompeo, who played Dr Meredith Grey, has not yet shared a public tribute but in a pre-recorded video for the ALS Network Champions for Cures and Care Gala in January, she revealed she had reached out to him.
‘As soon as I heard about [Danes’] diagnosis, I texted him, and I said: “I’m here if you want to speak.” And my phone rang 30 seconds later,’ she said.
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