Patrick Dempsey paid tribute to his Grey’s Anatomy co-star Eric Dane, who passed away on February 19th at the age of 53, calling him “the funniest person” and “a lot of fun to work with.”
The two co-starred on Grey’s Anatomy for several seasons as Dr. Derek Shepherd and Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as McDreamy and McSteamy. They later became best friends and played two of the most exciting rival surgeons on medical dramas.
“I just woke up this morning and I read the news and it was very sad,” Dempsey said on “The Chris Evans Breakfast Show” Friday morning. “It’s hard to put into words. I feel really sad for his kids. I’ve been corresponding with him, we’ve been texting, so I talked to him about a week ago.”
Mr Dempsey added: “A few of our friends went to see him and he was seriously starting to lose his ability to speak, was bedridden and had great difficulty swallowing. His quality of life was rapidly deteriorating.” Dane revealed he was diagnosed with ALS in 2025 and has opened up about his physical challenges in recent months. Despite the diagnosis, he has vowed to continue working and has completed filming Season 3 of “Euphoria,” which will be released on HBO in April.
“He had a great sense of humor,” Dempsey said. “He was easy to work with and we hit it off right away. The first scene was great, with him coming out of the bathroom in all his glory, wrapped in a towel, completely out of shape and feeling insignificant.”
Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes also released a statement following Dane’s death, saying, “Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey’s Anatomy families. He was a truly talented actor, and his role as Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and audiences around the world. We are grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship and humanity he shared with us over the years. Our hearts go out to him.” My thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all those touched by his work. ”
