Sam Levinson Mourns 'Euphoria' Actor Eric Dane, Dead at 53

Eric Dane dies at 53

Actor Eric Dane has died at age 53. His family confirmed his passing on Thursday, following a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Dane was best known for his role as Cal Jacobs, the closeted patriarch, on the HBO drama series Euphoria.

Euphoria creator pays tribute

Series creator Sam Levinson shared a statement with Deadline following the news. "I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric," Levinson said.

"Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing."

A career spanning decades

While Cal Jacobs on Euphoria was a defining late-career role, Dane had been a prominent television actor for over two decades. His breakout role came in the mid-2000s.

He is widely recognized for playing:

• Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on ABC's Grey's Anatomy for over 100 episodes.
• Title character Eliot on the TNT drama The Last Ship.
• Roles in series like Charmed and Gideon's Crossing early in his career.

The impact of ALS

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease leads to loss of muscle control.

Dane's diagnosis and rapid decline highlight the aggressive nature of the illness. There is currently no cure for ALS.

Hollywood and fan reactions

News of Dane's passing prompted an immediate outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans across social media. Co-stars from Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria began sharing personal memories.

Fans noted the profound contrast between his vibrant, often intimidating on-screen personas and the private battle he faced. Tributes have focused on his charisma and the complexity he brought to his roles.

The entertainment community is now mourning the loss of an actor whose career spanned iconic network television and cutting-edge cable drama.