The 2026 Academy Awards left many fans disappointed after Eric Dane was missing from the annual tribute to stars who passed away.
Following the ceremony, Shonda Rhimes, the creator of the show “Grey’s Anatomy,” stepped forward to offer a different perspective on the situation.
Dane passed away in February 2026 following a lengthy battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
What Shonda Rhimes Said About Eric Dane’s Oscars Snub
Rhimes is addressing the public outcry after Dane was excluded from the “In Memoriam” segment during the 2026 Oscars.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, she explained that the omission was likely due to the nature of the awards show itself rather than a lack of respect. She pointed out that the Oscars specifically celebrate the film industry, noting that Dane was primarily a television star.
Rhimes expressed confidence that the Emmys would properly immortalize the actor when their ceremony takes place, as that platform is better suited to honor his specific legacy in the entertainment world.
“We can’t fault the Oscars for the fact that they’re looking at movies. And there were so many people who were lost, but Eric was unique to television, and I can’t wait to see what they do with him [at the Emmys],” she said.
Dane, who became a fan favorite as the character Dr. Mark Sloan in “Grey’s Anatomy,” died on February 19 at the age of 53 after battling ALS.
Other Stars Were Also Left Out Of The Oscars’ In Memoriam Segment
Dane was just one of several high-profile stars missing from the Sunday night broadcast. The televised “In Memoriam” segment, which honors the film community’s losses, notably excluded names like James Van Der Beek, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and international icon Brigitte Bardot.
Van Der Beek, famous for his role on “Dawson’s Creek,” passed away in February at age 48 following a three-year battle with colorectal cancer. Similarly, Warner died in an accidental drowning in July at age 54, and Bardot, a legend of French cinema, died in December at 91.
Despite the omissions on screen, the Academy included these stars on its official “In Memoriam” digital tribute page. The broadcast instead focused its limited time on several high-profile live tributes to giants of the industry.
One such moment featured Barbra Streisand honoring her “The Way We Were” co-star Robert Redford, who passed away in September at the age of 89. Streisand performed a melancholic snippet of the film’s title track, leaving the audience in tears, per USA Today.
Another major segment was also dedicated to actor and director Rob Reiner, who was found dead in his home this past December at age 78.
The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Passed Away From Respiratory Failure
While the Academy chose to focus on live tributes for other industry giants, the reality of Dane’s absence from the screen remains a painful subject for fans following his tragic passing.
According to The Blast, Dane’s official death certificate stated that he passed away from respiratory failure, with ALS cited as the underlying cause.
In a statement released shortly after his death, Dane’s family confirmed that he spent his final moments surrounded by his closest friends, his wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia.
They described his fight against ALS as “courageous” and noted that his children were truly the center of his world.
A GoFundMe Was Created For Eric Dane’s Family Following His Passing
Following Dane’s unfortunate demise, the actor’s friends launched a practical effort to support his children. A GoFundMe was established for his daughters, 15-year-old Billie and 13-year-old Georgia, to provide for their future needs.
As reported by The Blast, the fundraiser reached nearly $159,000 toward a $250,000 goal as of late February, with organizers stating that the money is intended to offer stability during an incredibly difficult transition.
However, the campaign sparked mixed reactions online, with many critics questioning why a successful Hollywood actor would require financial assistance from the general public.
One critic noted that if a regular person passed away, they wouldn’t have celebrity backing to support their family, while another described the trend of crowdfunding for wealthy stars as “out of hand.”
Eric Dane Battled Some Personal Demons During His Lifetime
While some fans focus on his family’s financial future, others are looking back at the complicated personal history of the late star. At some point in his lifetime, Dane struggled with substance abuse, which actually began long before he found fame, starting with drug use in high school.
Though he managed to get clean at the age of 26, the intense pressure of joining the cast of “Grey’s Anatomy” in 2006 eventually led to a difficult relapse, per The Blast.
In a 2024 interview, Dane was brutally honest about his time on the hit medical drama, admitting he was under the influence for more years than he was sober during his eight-year tenure. He reflected on how “things started going sideways” for him as the weight of celebrity status and unresolved personal issues took their toll on his stability.
