Eric Dane’s untimely death at 53 has left his celebrity friends and former colleagues deeply saddened, with Ashton Kutcher and Selma Blair among those expressing heartfelt tributes to the beloved actor.
The star of “Euphoria” was confirmed deceased by his family on Thursday, coming less than a year after he publicly revealed his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Dane had captured audiences with a range of performances throughout his career, most notably as Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately known as McSteamy, in “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Ashton Kutcher took to social media platform X to express his sorrow, sharing, “The Franklin Strip Fanatics Fantasy Football League will miss Mr. Eric Dane.”
He continued, “We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s continue to fight to find a solution for ALS.”
Kutcher and Dane previously shared the screen in the 2010 romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day.”
Eric Dane’s celebrity friends and former castmates have been left heartbroken over his death at age 53, with Ashton Kutcher and Selma Blair leading emotional tributes to the late actor; Dane seen in 2022 in L.A.
Kutcher took to X shortly after learning the devastating news of Dane’s passing and wrote, ‘The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane’
Blair reposted a clip to her Instagram stories from @eric_dane_fan which showed her and Dane in the show Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane.
In text added towards the top of the reel, the actress – who is currently battling multiple sclerosis (MS) – wrote, ‘I love you. And yours.’
Blair was referencing to a scene in the series where their characters accidently took each other’s books.
Nina Dobrev shared a message to her Instagram stories alongside a behind-the-scenes image of Dane. The pair had previously worked on the 2022 movie Redeeming Love.
She penned, ‘Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Eric. He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did.
‘He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen. ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease.’
The Vampire Diaries alum added, ‘May his memory inspire more research, awareness, and progress toward a cure. He will be deeply missed. Sending love and heartfelt condolensces to his family.’
Sam Levinson – the creator of the HBO Max series Euphoria – has also broken his silence on the late star’s death. Dane had played the role of Cal Jacobs on the series.
‘We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS,’ Kutcher added
In text added towards the top of the reel, the actress – who is currently battling multiple sclerosis (MS) – wrote, ‘I love you. And yours’
Nina Dobrev shared a message to her Instagram stories alongside a behind-the-scenes image of Dane. The pair had previously worked on the 2022 movie Redeeming Love; seen earlier this month in L.A.
She penned, ‘Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Eric. He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did’
‘I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor,’ Levinson told Variety.
‘Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.’
Alyssa Milano also took to Instagram to share a moving tribute to Dane – whom she starred with on the series Charmed.
‘I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective.’
She added, ‘He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard.
‘And when it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren’t present. You could see it in the way his voice changed when he said their names. A breathtakingly beautiful family.’
Milano also recalled that Dane had ‘convinced me to get my pixie cut and my nose piercing.
‘He also was with me on the walk when we found Lucy, my beloved rescue chihuahua. He called me “Milano,” as if it was the only part of my name that mattered.’
Sam Levinson – the creator of the HBO Max series Euphoria – has also broken his silence on the late star’s death. Dane had played the role of Cal Jacobs on the series; Levinson seen in 2023 in L.A.
Alyssa Milano also took to Instagram to share a moving tribute to Dane – whom she starred with on the series Charmed; Milano seen in 2025 in NYC
‘I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective,’ the actress wrote
The actress concluded with, ‘My heart is with the people who were lucky enough to be his home.’
Milano also uploaded a photo of Dane with his family as well as a throwback image of them on Charmed.
His family said in a statement on Thursday, ‘With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.
‘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.’
They added, ‘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. 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.’
The award-winning actor is survived by his two teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, and his wife, Rebecca Gayheart.
ALS is ‘a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord’ and can ’cause loss of muscle control,’ per Mayo Clinic.
Dane announced his diagnosis with the disease last year in April.
Just a few months later in June, he had lost function of his right arm and hand. By October he was in a wheelchair.
