Hallmark’s “The Way Home” star Chyler Leigh broke her silence to share a statement about the recent death of her “Grey’s Anatomy” co-star Eric Dane.
As People noted, Dane died on February 19, less than a year after publicly revealing his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Leigh plays Kat Landry on Hallmark’s “The Way Home,” which is set to debut its fourth and final season on April 19. What many fans still remember her for, however, is her role on “Grey’s Anatomy” as Dr. Lexie Grey.
During her run on “Grey’s,” which lasted from 2007 to 2012, Leigh’s Lexie fell for “McSteamy,” Dane’s Dr. Mark Sloan.
Now, after Dane’s tragic death, Leigh has shared her thoughts on the devastating loss.
Chyler Leigh Praised Eric Dane’s Humor & Intelligence
On February 21, Leigh shared a statement about Dane’s death and her connection to him with E! News.
“The last 48 hours have been devastating. I never thought I would be using the term ‘had’ or ‘was,’ but here we are. And I hate it,” Leigh told the media outlet.
Leigh continued, “Eric had a heart of gold. His humor and, especially, his laugh was infectious. He was a deeply intelligent man who could carry a philosophical conversation for hours even while we were on set. “
She added, “He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY. Incredibly passionate about his work and the causes he kept close to his heart.”
Dane had two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia 14, with his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart.
The Hallmark Star Will Keep Dane ‘Within My Heart Forever’
Leigh also told E! Now, “The Universe is undoubtedly holding Eric now, just as I will continue to do within my heart forever.”
Fans shared their heartache over the loss, sending Dane’s family as well as Leigh their love.
One Instagram user commented, “I still can’t believe this. I am truly heartbroken.”
On the E! News Facebook post about Leigh’s comments, one fan wrote, “Mark & Lexie forever” with a red-heart emoji.
On YouTube, another fan commented, “This tribute hit the HARDEST. The best couple on Grey’s that the show was awful to! The chemistry was [fire]. I feel so bad for anyone that knew him.”
Though Leigh did not immediately post anything about Dane’s death on her personal Instagram page, fans have left notes with their condolences on her most recent post.
“Thinking of you,” a fan wrote on February 20.
Another added, “Rip Eric. Sending love today Chy.”
Some Instagram users were somewhat critical that Leigh hadn’t immediately posted anything about Dane. However, she had the support of most of her fans.
One person wrote, “Can people chill in these comments. Chyler will talk if and when she’s ready. She once had a lot of scenes with him and she has every right to grieve in private. I’m sending her love and thinking of her!!”
As “Grey’s Anatomy” fans surely remember, Leigh and Dane’s characters had an epic love story on the show. The pair never got to have their happily ever after, though.
In a shocker during the season 8 finale, Lexie died as Mark professed his love to her after they were in a plane crash.
In season 9, episode 2, Mark died as a result of injuries from the plane crash that killed Lexie. Losing both doctors hit the staff at the hospital incredibly hard. After some time, the hospital was renamed Grey Sloan Memorial to honor both Lexie and Mark.
Wasn’t Mark Sloan the name of Dick Van Dyke’s doctor character?
Yes on Diagnosis Murder
I was living a normal life with my family when, at 52, I began experiencing muscle stiffness and twitching. After seeing a neurologist, I was diagnosed with ALS. It was a tough reality, and as the disease progressed, I eventually lost the ability to walk and relied on a wheelchair. A friend recommended Uine Health Centre .net), where I began their ALS/MND protocol. After about three months, I noticed significant improvements, less stiffness, fewer symptoms, and I was able to walk distances again.