Eric Dane’s Official Cause of Death Released

Actor Eric Dane, best known for his roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” passed away on Thursday, February 19. The 53-year-old actor had announced in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS.

According to a death certificate obtained by PEOPLE magazine, the actor passed away from respiratory failure. ALS was listed as an underlying cause of death.

The actor is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two children: Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.

On February 19, the actor’s family shared a brief statement with the publication confirming his passing. “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” the statement read. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”

“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always,” the statement continued. “Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”

In December 2025, only a few months before his sudden passing, the actor revealed that he would be releasing a memoir containing highlights from his life and legendary acting career. The memoir, set to be titled “Books of Days: A Memoir in Moments,” was set to be published by Maria Shriver’s imprint, The Open Field.

In an Instagram post announcing the memoir, Shriver said that it was “an honor to publish” his story, writing, “It is indeed an honor to publish @realericdane’s new memoir about his account of being diagnosed with ALS and how he is dealing with it. I’m so humbled and honored that he chose @openfieldbooks to publish his important story, an imprint known for publishing bestselling books that rise above the noise and move humanity forward.”

She continued, “I cannot wait for the world to read his story and learn more about his intention and his goals. Thank you for entrusting me with your story, Eric!”

In his own statement, Dane added, “I want to capture the moments that shaped me — the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted… If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling.”

On February 20, Dempsey had a guest appearance on “The Chris Evans Breakfast Show,” only one day after Dane passed away. The actor said that Dane already had difficulty speaking and that some friends had been visiting him amid his health struggles.

“He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly,” Dempsey shared. He described Dane as a funny man who was “such a joy to work with” and looked back on their days on “Grey’s Anatomy” fondly.

“First scene was him in all of his glory coming out of the bathroom with a towel on, looking amazing, making me feel completely out of shape and insignificant,” Dempsey recalled, adding, “There was this wonderful mutual respect. He’s wickedly intelligent, and I’m always going to remember those moments of fun that we had together and celebrate the joy that he did bring to people’s lives.”

On February 20, “Grey’s Anatomy” creator also took to Instagram to pay tribute to the late actor with a carousel of photos showing the two posing together at various events. “Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey’s Anatomy families,” she wrote. “He was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the world.”

She went on to say, “We are grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship and humanity he shared with us for so many years. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his work.”

Rebecca Gayheart commented on the post, writing, “That you Shonda — I am still unable to speak on our loss. Appreciate this.”