Eric Dane’s death has shaken the “Grey’s Anatomy” cast, and for Patrick Dempsey, the loss feels deeply personal. Dempsey is grieving a friend who once felt like family. Speaking candidly in a new interview released Tuesday, the actor reflected on Dane’s ALS battle and the void his passing has left behind.
Dempsey Reflects on Losing Dane
In an interview with News Talk FM, Dempsey opened up about the weight of losing loved ones in recent years. Watch video-
“It’s very hard when you lose a family member. I lost my father very young, and my mother’s passed,” Dempsey, 60, said. The interviewer shared that her sister had died just a week earlier.
“And now several friends in the last year I’ve lost,” he continued.
“Eric was so beloved, and I think he would really be so happy to know — and I know a lot of people reached out to him before his passing to keep track — that he was so beloved and is deeply missed.”
Dempsey and Dane shared a close friendship during their time on “Grey’s Anatomy,” where Dane portrayed Dr. Mark Sloan, and Dempsey played Derek Shepherd.
Their characters formed a memorable brotherhood on screen.
Final Texts and Rapid Decline From ALS
Just one day after Dane’s death, Dempsey had shared painful details about their final exchanges during an appearance on “The Chris Evans Breakfast Show.”
His voice carried the weight of recent loss.
“I feel really so sad for his children,” Dempsey said. “I was corresponding with him, we were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago, and some friends of ours went in to see him, and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak.”
Dempsey described how quickly Dane’s condition worsened in the final days.
“He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly,” Dempsey added.
“He was the funniest man – he was such a joy to work with, and I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it.”
Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis 10 months before his death. ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic.
For Dempsey, the medical reality is heartbreaking. But the memory he chooses to hold onto is laughter, friendship, and the light Dane brought into every room.
Remembering the Joy Eric Dane Brought to Set
In the same interview, Dempsey also reflected on Dane’s larger-than-life presence during their time filming together.
“He had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly,” Dempsey said. “First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on, looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant.”
Dane’s portrayal of Sloan, often nicknamed McSteamy, became a defining part of “Grey’s Anatomy” during his run from season 2 through season 9. He later appeared in “Euphoria,” expanding his career into new territory.
Dane’s family confirmed his death on February 19th in a statement.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” the statement read.
“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.”
“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.”
In the days following his passing, friends and fans have continued to honor his legacy. A GoFundMe page was launched shortly after his death, with a close friend later addressing the initiative publicly.
