Eric Dane, who died this week at age 53, will be best remembered for his character’s iconic introduction in Shonda Rhimes’s long-running series Grey’s Anatomy. The actor’s star power was so undeniable that he turned his one-off appearance as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan into a series regular role in Season 3. He’d play the character for seven seasons. “I think I had moments in my career where I was undeniably good. I wouldn’t say undeniably amazing, but I was undeniably good,” Dane said of his work as an actor in his episode of the docuseries Famous Last Words, which premiered on Netflix after his death.

Before Grey’s, Dane got his start on a variety of classic ’90s and early ’00s series like Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Married … with Children, Roseanne, and Charmed. Then, in 2006, the world met Mark Sloan, and Dane solidified his status as a leading man. He would go on to roles in movies like Marley & Me, Grey Lady, American Carnage, and Dangerous Waters, as well as in series like The Last Ship, Countdown, and Kabul. He also earned praise for his role as the secretive, irascible patriarch Cal Jacobs in two seasons of Euphoria.

After Dane announced in April 2025 that he’d been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease that affects muscle control, he became an advocate for research and awareness. He died on Feb. 19.

If you’re looking to celebrate Dane’s 35 years onscreen, read on to learn about some of his many movies and series.

Famous Last Words: Eric Dane

In November 2025, Dane joined Famous Last Words’ Brad Falchuk for an intimate conversation, during which the actor reflected on his life and legacy. Their hour-long interview — which was conducted with the understanding that it would only be aired after his death — dives deep into a variety of topics, including Dane’s storied onscreen career, his thoughts on living with ALS, and his love for his family, especially his daughters, Billie and Georgia. You can read more about Dane’s last words on Tudum.

Famous Last Words: Eric Dane

0h 50m   TV-14   2026

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Grey's Anatomy

This 22-season medical drama follows the personal and professional lives of doctors — especially Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) — working at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. Dane plays Dr. Mark Sloan, a renowned plastic surgeon and Dr. Derek Shepherd’s (Patrick Dempsey) childhood best friend. The series documents Grey’s journey to becoming a world-class surgeon, as well as her relationships with her fellow medical practitioners. Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, T.R. Knight, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., and Isaiah Washington also star.

Grey's Anatomy

22 Seasons   TV-14   2005

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