Patrick Dempsey Reveals Heartbreaking Details from Eric Dane's Final Days
In a poignant interview on Virgin Radio UK's The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, actor Patrick Dempsey shared intimate and sorrowful details about the final days of his former Grey's Anatomy co-star Eric Dane, who tragically passed away on Thursday. Dempsey expressed profound sadness upon learning the news, stating he felt particularly heartbroken for Dane's children.
Final Conversations and Deteriorating Health
Dempsey revealed that he had been in contact with Dane via text messages and spoke to him approximately a week before his death. He noted that mutual friends who recently visited Dane reported his condition had rapidly declined. "He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly," Dempsey recounted, highlighting the severe impact of the disease on Dane's daily life.
Despite the grim circumstances, Dempsey chose to focus on celebrating Dane's vibrant spirit. He remembered his colleague as "the funniest man" and "such a joy to work with," emphasizing their instant connection on set. "I just want to remember him in that spirit because any time he was on the Grey's set, he brought so much fun to it," Dempsey added, reflecting on their camaraderie.
Memories of McSteamy's Debut and Mutual Respect
Dempsey, who portrayed Dr. Derek Shepherd (McDreamy), fondly recalled Dane's iconic first appearance as Dr. Mark Sloan (McSteamy) during the show's second season in 2006. "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," he said with a laugh.
He explained that their relationship was built on mutual respect rather than competition. "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," Dempsey stated. He also praised Dane for using his platform to raise awareness about ALS in his final days, reminding everyone to cherish each day.
Grey's Anatomy Family Pays Tribute
The Grey's Anatomy community has been vocal in mourning Dane's passing. Creator Shonda Rhimes broke her silence, calling him "a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey's Anatomy families." She noted that his portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and audiences worldwide, expressing gratitude for his artistry, spirit, and humanity.
Other cast members shared heartfelt tributes on social media:
- Debbie Allen, who plays Dr. Catherine Fox, posted an Instagram photo with Dane, writing, "Our beloved brother Eric Dane made his ascension into the Light, leaving us with great memories of his powerful presence on and off screen."
- Kim Raver, portraying Dr. Teddy Altman, shared throwback images, captioning, "Eric 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."
- Kevin McKidd and Sarah Drew also posted tributes, with Drew adding "Rest in peace" alongside emotional emojis.
Dane's Advocacy and Legacy
Eric Dane went public with his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and became a vocal advocate for research into neurodegenerative diseases. In October 2025, he testified in Washington, vowing to fight until the end for his family. "I have two daughters at home. I want to see them graduate college, and get married and maybe have grandkids. So I'm going to fight to the last breath on this one," he said at the time, as reported by CNN.
Former showrunner Krista Vernoff remembered Dane's brief return to the show in 2021 for a special episode, sharing screenshots of their conversations. She recalled his excitement for the role and cherished his warm hugs, writing, "Oh my friend. I wish you peace."
Dane is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14. His legacy as McSteamy and his courageous battle with ALS continue to inspire fans and colleagues alike.
