Kate Walsh has written a touching tribute to her Grey’s Anatomy co-star Eric Dane following his tragic death.
On Friday, the day after Dane passed away at age 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the actress wrote on Instagram: “I’m at a loss for words to express my sadness at Eric’s passing.”
“First and foremost, I’m thinking of his daughters and Rebecca and keeping them in my prayers and thoughts,” he said, referring to Dane’s wife Rebecca Gayheart and their two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14.
Walsh played Dr. Addison Montgomery on the medical drama in seasons 2 and 3 from 2005 to 2007. Dane joined the show in season two as Dr. Mark Sloan, aka “McSteamy,” but left the show at the beginning of season nine.
The “Private Practice” alum, 58, recalled filming scenes with Dane during his time on the series, and at one point, their characters had a short-lived relationship.
“I literally remember my first scene with Eric…the elevator scene in Seattle Grey’s 😊 It was so long ago. I think it was his first scene on the show too, and he was nervous. He was so handsome and I thought, ‘But can this guy act?'” 😂 And of course he could, and he did, and the rest is history,” Walsh said.
The star went on to explain that she “loved” Dane’s “sensitivity and vulnerability (and of course his intelligence)”.
Walsh and Dane were close in the early days of the ABC hit.
“As with most network TV shows, we spent so much time with each other more than anyone else that we became a family of sorts. Eric was a source of support and love,” she continued, noting that ALS is a “terrible disease” and that “too many people have lost loved ones.”
Walsh wasn’t the only Grey’s Anatomy star to pay tribute to Dane after news of his heartbreaking death broke.
Patrick Dempsey, who played Dr Derek Shepherd (aka ‘McDreamy’) for 11 seasons from 2005 to 2015, appeared on Virgin Radio UK’s ‘The Chris Evans Breakfast Show’ on Friday to pay tribute to his late co-star.
“It’s hard to express in words. I feel really sad for his children,” the 60-year-old actor began. “I spoke to him about a week ago because I was corresponding with him and we were texting. And a few of our friends went to see him, and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak.”
Dempsey told listeners that he chooses to think about Dane during happier times, like on the set of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
“I just want to remember him in that spirit, because whenever he was on set, he brought so much fun,” the “Dexter: Original Sin” alum confessed. “The first scene was him coming out of the bathroom in all his glory with a towel wrapped around him. It was amazing and I felt completely sick and insignificant.”
As Page Six previously reported, Dane’s family confirmed the news of the actor’s death on Thursday.
“Through his battle with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same battle,” their statement reads in part.
“He spent his final days surrounded by his dearest friends, his devoted wife (Rebecca Gayheart), and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered forever.”
Dane announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and has become a passionate advocate for the I AM ALS movement over the past 10 months.
