Chyler Leigh, who played Lexie Grey on the hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, has spoken publicly for the first time about the passing of her former co-star and on-screen love interest, Eric Dane. Dane, known globally as the charming Dr. Mark Sloan aka McSteamy, died on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53 after a public battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Leigh’s emotional response comes two days after the tragic news broke, offering a personal glimpse into the man behind the beloved character.
Chyler Leigh Remembers Her ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Co-Star: ‘Eric Had a Heart of Gold’
In an exclusive statement given to E! News on Saturday, February 21, the 43-year-old actress opened up about the profound grief she has been experiencing since learning of Dane’s death. Leigh did not hold back her feelings, describing the immediate aftermath as incredibly painful.
“The last 48 hours have been devastating,” Chyler Leigh shared. “I never thought I would be using the term ‘had or was,’ but here we are. And I hate it.”
Her tribute painted a vivid picture of the Eric Dane she knew off-camera, moving beyond the “McSteamy” persona that made him a household name. She focused on his character, his intelligence, and his role as a father.
“Eric had a heart of gold,” Leigh continued. “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.”
The actress specifically highlighted Dane’s devotion to his family. “He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY,” she said, referring to his two daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 14, whom he shared with actress Rebecca Gayheart.
Leigh also noted Dane’s commitment to his craft and his advocacy work following his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, calling him “Incredibly passionate about his work and the causes he kept close to his heart.”
She ended her statement with a touching promise to keep his memory alive. “The Universe is undoubtedly holding Eric now, just as I will continue to do within my heart forever.”
The Legacy of Lexie Grey and Mark Sloan: A Love Story That Defined a Generation
For longtime viewers of Grey’s Anatomy, the connection between Chyler Leigh and Eric Dane is unforgettable. Their characters, Lexie Grey and Mark Sloan, had a turbulent yet deeply beloved romance that spanned from season 3 to season 8. The pair, despite their age difference and numerous obstacles, became one of the show’s most iconic couples, affectionately nicknamed “Slexie” by fans.
Their story ended tragically in the season 8 finale when they were involved in a devastating plane crash. In one of the show’s most heartbreaking moments, Lexie died in Mark’s arms after being crushed under the fuselage. Mark Sloan later succumbed to his injuries in the season 9 premiere, unable to let go of his love for Lexie.
The pair did reunite, however briefly, during Grey’s Anatomy season 17 in 2020. In a dream sequence while Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) was comatose with COVID-19, Mark and Lexie appeared together on a peaceful beach, giving fans a sense of closure and reminding everyone of the chemistry between Leigh and Dane.
In a 2024 interview with Us Weekly, Chyler Leigh looked back on her character’s dramatic exit with her signature humor. “That’s a pretty epic way to go,” she joked. “You get crushed under the fuselage of a plane and then apparently eaten by wolves? But then — think about it — then if I was pooped out, what if Lexie turned into a tree? Do you know what I mean? Now I’m forever part of oxygenating the world.”
More seriously, she expressed her gratitude for the role. “I will always be incredibly grateful for that character and for that story line,” she said at the time. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from people that are going into the medicine field and that are like, ‘I started just like this and I get to watch Lexie’s journey.’ … I appreciate how it affects fans.”
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Family Mourns Together: Other Co-Stars Pay Tribute
Chyler Leigh is not alone in her mourning. The Grey’s Anatomy family, known for being close-knit, has rallied to remember their friend and colleague. Several other cast members have shared their own memories and condolences since the news of Eric Dane’s passing was confirmed by his family.
Patrick Dempsey, who played Derek Shepherd (McDreamy) and was Dane’s on-screen best friend, shared a heartfelt and difficult account of Dane’s final days during an appearance on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on February 20.
“I was corresponding with him, we were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago,” Dempsey revealed. “He was really starting to lose his ability to speak. He was bedridden, and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.”
Despite the sadness of his final days, Dempsey chose to focus on the joy Dane brought to the set. “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,” Dempsey said. “He had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly.”
Kevin McKidd, who plays Owen Hunt, shared a simple but powerful message on his Instagram Stories, reposting a photo of Dane with the words, “Rest in peace buddy…” Sarah Drew (April Kepner) did the same, adding three crying emojis to a picture of the late actor.
Kim Raver (Teddy Altman) wrote a touching tribute on Instagram, calling Dane “a light.” She recalled his playful nature on set, noting the “twinkle in his eye” and his “perfect comedic timing.”
Even showrunner Krista Vernoff shared a personal memory, posting screenshots of a 2021 text conversation with Dane. She remembered him for his hugs, writing, “What I will remember most about Eric Dane are his hugs. The best hugs. Oh my friend. I wish you peace.”
A Lasting Memory: Eric Dane’s Advocacy and Final Days
Eric Dane’s passing comes less than a year after he bravely went public with his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. He used his platform not to retreat, but to fight. He became a passionate advocate for ALS awareness and research, even traveling to Washington, D.C., in October 2025 with the nonprofit I AM ALS to push for continued funding for research into the neurodegenerative disease.
“I have two daughters at home. I want to see them, you know, graduate college, and get married and maybe have grandkids,” Dane said during his visit to D.C. “I want to be there for all that. So I’m going to fight to the last breath on this one.”
His family’s official statement confirmed his dedication to this cause. “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,” the family said. “He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.”
Just hours after his death, a final interview with Dane aired on Netflix as part of a Famous Last Words segment. In it, he reflected on his career and his time on Grey’s Anatomy, revealing that the show’s structure was crucial in helping him maintain his sobriety. He spoke honestly about his struggles, saying, “I’m not good with a lot of time on my hands. I need structure and the show provided a lot of structure for me.”
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A True Hollywood Ally: Remembering Eric Dane’s Kindness
Beyond the leading man looks and the “McSteamy” nickname, stories have emerged painting a picture of a man who was a genuine ally and friend to those around him. Following Dane’s death, actress and trans activist Alexandra Billings shared a powerful story about working with him on a season 3 episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
In the episode, Billings played a trans woman diagnosed with breast cancer. When producers planned to cut a crucial monologue from her scene for time, it was Eric Dane who stepped in. Billings recounted how Dane quietly asked her for the five most important things in the speech and then helped her improvise the scene so her character’s voice could still be heard.
“There was no reason in the world for him to do that. It didn’t have anything to do with him,” Billings said in a tribute shared by Sara Ramirez. “Time is money, especially in television. Eric Dane was one of the kindest, most empathetic humans I think I’ve ever worked with.” She added, “Eric Dane showed everyone on that set what a true ally looks like. It’s not just talk.”
Eric Dane is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and his two daughters. His family has asked for privacy as they navigate this difficult time. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his daughters’ future, which has already seen an outpouring of support from fans and friends alike.
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