Patrick Dempsey, known for playing Dr. Derek Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy, texted his former co-star Eric Dane just a week before Dane's death from ALS on February 19 at age 53. The Patrick Dempsey Eric Dane texts revealed a close friendship that lasted years after their time on the hit medical drama. Dane, who portrayed Dr. Mark Sloan, passed away surrounded by family in his final days.
Key Takeaways
- Patrick Dempsey called Eric Dane the funniest man he knew and a joy to work with on Grey's Anatomy.
- The actors stayed in touch via texts even after leaving the show, with Dempsey checking on Dane's health amid ALS.
- Dane died at 53 after battling ALS, which he announced publicly less than a year earlier.
- Dempsey praised Dane's courage and his push for ALS awareness in his final months.
Background
Grey's Anatomy first brought Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane together back in 2006. Dempsey played the charming neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd, often called McDreamy by fans. Dane stepped in as plastic surgeon Mark Sloan, nicknamed McSteamy. Their characters were best friends on screen. They shared plenty of dramatic storylines, from hospital crises to personal ups and downs. Fans loved their banter. It made the show a massive hit.
The two worked side by side for six seasons, until Dane left in 2012. Dempsey stayed a bit longer, exiting in 2015 after his character's storyline wrapped up. But their bond didn't end with the show. They kept talking over the years. Phone calls. Texts. Quick check-ins. Even as their careers took different paths. Dempsey went on to racing and new TV projects. Dane appeared in shows like Euphoria and movies. Life moved on. Yet they stayed connected.
ALS changed everything for Dane. He found out he had the disease in early 2025. That's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a brutal condition that hits the nerves and muscles. No cure. It moves fast. Dane told the world about it in interviews. He spoke to People magazine back then. Said he felt lucky to still work. Planned to head back to the Euphoria set soon. A few months later, on Good Morning America, he got real. Woke up every day knowing it was real. Not a dream. Hard words. Honest ones.
And Dempsey? He watched from afar but stayed close. Weeks before Dane died, they talked. Dempsey wanted Dane for a guest spot on his new Fox show, Memory of a Killer. ALS made it impossible. The disease had progressed too far. Still, Dempsey texted. Checked in. Kept the line open. That's the kind of friend he was.
Key Details
Dempsey first spoke publicly about Dane's death on February 20. He joined Virgin Radio U.K.'s The Chris Evans Breakfast Show. Woke up to the news that morning. It hit hard. Words failed him at first. Sad for Dane's kids most of all. Billie and Georgia. They were Dane's world.
He remembered their first scene together. Dane stepped out of a shower. Just a towel. Looking sharp. Made everyone else feel out of shape. They clicked right away. No rivalry. Mutual respect. Dempsey called him the funniest man. A joy on set. Brought fun every time. Wickedly smart too.
"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." – Patrick Dempsey
Texts kept coming right up to the end. A week before February 19. Dempsey shared that in a Parade interview weeks earlier. Said Dane was courageous. Funny. Intelligent. Heartbreaking to watch ALS take hold. Attacks the body quick. But Dane used his voice. Pushed for research. Raised awareness. Incredible work in his last days.
Dane's family shared a statement. Heavy hearts. Passed Thursday afternoon. Surrounded by wife Rebecca, daughters, close friends. He fought hard. Became an advocate. Wanted to help others with ALS. Asked for privacy now. Fans sent love. He appreciated it all.
Their Last Projects
Dane kept working despite everything. Euphoria Season 3 has him in it. One of his final roles. Hits HBO April 12. Family Secrets too. A thriller in post-production. He was in Toronto filming Brilliant Minds around then. Another medical drama. Fitting. Dempsey noted that. Happy to see him pushing on.
Dempsey's own path kept going. Memory of a Killer on Fox. Racing gigs. Films like Can't Buy Me Love early on. But this loss? Personal. They texted about life. Work. The disease. Dempsey wished him strength. Family too. Sympathy poured out.
Grey's Anatomy fans flooded social media. Tributes everywhere. McDreamy and McSteamy forever. Show runners haven't commented yet. But the cast? Tight knit. This shakes them.
Link to Euphoria Season 3 details here as Dane's last big role wraps up soon. And check recent entertainment losses – Hollywood's had a tough stretch.
What This Means
Eric Dane's death spotlights ALS again. A disease that doesn't spare anyone. Famous or not. His advocacy? It mattered. Raised funds. Got eyes on research. More people talking. Pushing for treatments. No cure yet. But voices like his speed things up.
For Grey's Anatomy, it's another blow. The show lost stars before. Dempsey's Derek. Now Dane's Mark. Fans revisit episodes. Remember the laughs. The drama. Stream numbers might spike. Nostalgia hits hard.
Dempsey's words remind everyone. Cherish time. Families first. Be kind. Celebrate daily. In a world full of tough news, that's the takeaway. Dane lived it. Advocated till the end. His daughters carry on. Wife too. Privacy now. But legacy? Strong.
Hollywood feels it. Actors check on each other more. Texts like Dempsey's? They count. Friendships endure. Even after sets close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane know each other?
A: They co-starred on Grey's Anatomy from 2006 to 2012 as best friends Dr. Derek Shepherd and Dr. Mark Sloan.
Q: What caused Eric Dane's death?
A: ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He announced the diagnosis in 2025 and passed on February 19, 2026, at 53.
Q: Did Eric Dane have any upcoming projects?
A: Yes, Euphoria Season 3 on HBO April 12 and Family Secrets thriller in post-production.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane know each other?
They co-starred on Grey’s Anatomy from 2006 to 2012 as best friends Dr. Derek Shepherd and Dr. Mark Sloan.
What caused Eric Dane’s death?
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He announced the diagnosis in 2025 and passed on February 19, 2026, at 53.
Did Eric Dane have any upcoming projects?
Yes, Euphoria Season 3 on HBO April 12 and Family Secrets thriller in post-production.
