Eric Dane believed that Euphoria was the “most profound experience” of his career.
Dane appeared in an interview recorded before his death in the documentary special “Euphoria: A Look Back”.
“It was difficult at times, but I saw those difficulties as opportunities,” Dane recalled. “It was a great experience.”
Series creator Sam Levinson recalled Dane as a “great human being” and “a great actor.”
“He showed up every day with grace and dignity,” Levinson said in the feature.
Dane also reflected on another Euphoria star, Angus Cloud, who died at age 25 from an accidental fentanyl overdose on July 31, 2023.
He described Cloud as a “very talented young man” who was “tough on all of us”.
Dane passed away in February at the age of 53 after a battle with ALS. Before his death, the “Grey’s Anatomy” star had completed filming his role in “Euphoria” Season 3, which aired from April to May.
In the Season 3 premiere, a photo of Dane appeared on screen with the message, “In memory of Eric Dane. 1972-2026.”
Dane played Cal Jacobs for all three seasons of the HBO drama, which aired from 2019 to 2026. He had a volatile relationship with his son Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi).
The show ultimately ended with Nate being killed by the gang he was in charge of.
Cal and his family did not know Nate’s fate.
Elordi, who also appeared on the special, recalled being “so nervous” and her face “turning red” during the audition, but Levinson “loved it”.
“He was very talented and dedicated,” the author recalled.
“Euphoria: A Look Back” featured interviews with cast and crew, as well as scenes from all three seasons. He did not mention the various rumors about behind-the-scenes feuds between the cast or the harsh reviews that season 3 received. Zendaya also only appeared in old interview footage.
The show started out as a dark high school drama about teenage drug addict Rue (Zendaya) and her classmates: insecure Cassie (Sidney Sweeney), angry jocks Nate (Elordi), Maddie (Alexa Demme), Jules (Hunter Schaefer), and affable drug dealer Fez (Cloud).
“Euphoria” was a wild star-maker – Zendaya, Elordi and Sweeney are global celebrities, but when the show premiered, they didn’t have the A-list status they have today.
By season two, which aired in 2022, “Euphoria” became the most-watched show on HBO after “Game of Thrones,” with approximately 20 million viewers.
Apatow said, “We are so deeply connected and have been through so much together. I’m so happy for everyone’s success.”
Levinson reflected that it was “amazing” to see “filmmakers and directors that I admire” talk about how great actors like Elordi, Sweeney and Zendaya are.
His wife, Ashley Levinson, who is a producer on the show, said they “support” and “cheer” each other.
“Euphoria: A Look Back” is now available on HBO Max.
