Dane played Dr. Mark Sloan, a.k.a. McSteamy, on the medical drama from 2006 to 2012.

Grey’s Anatomy pays tribute to Eric Dane with moving Mark Sloan montage

Dane played Dr. Mark Sloan, a.k.a. McSteamy, on the medical drama from 2006 to 2012.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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February 27, 2026 10:58 a.m. ET

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Eric Dane on 'Grey's Anatomy'. Credit:

ABC/RANDY HOLMES

*Grey's Anatomy* is remembering the wise words of Dr. Mark Sloan in the wake of actor Eric Dane's death from ALS one week ago: "Don't waste one single minute."

The ABC medical drama aired 60-second montage at the end of Thursday's episode that featured several unforgettable moments from Dane's tenure as the beloved doctor also known as McSteamy.

The tribute was soundtracked by Tommee Profitt and Fleurie's cover of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars," which has been featured throughout the series in key moments. The song first appeared on the show in the season 2 finale and was also used in a montage to celebrate the 400th episode of the series in 2022.

Eric Dane on 'Grey's Anatomy'.

Gale Adler/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

"In loving memory of Eric Dane. ❤️," the *Grey's* social accounts captioned the montage. The tribute, which featured Dane's introduction to the show in 2006 and a number of his most notable lines, ends with a black and white portrait of the actor.

In a bittersweet twist of fate, Dane's death fell on the 20th anniversary of his first appearance on the show, which aired on Feb. 19, 2006.

Dane's McSteamy entered the picture as a direct contrast to Patrick Dempsey's Dr. Derek Shepherd, who had earned the moniker McDreamy. He became a series regular by the show's third season, and made a bit of television history with a rather sultry exit from a shower. (The "terrible towel" moment ranked No. 1 on **’s Top McSteamy Moments.)

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After two season 9 appearances, Dane left the series in 2012, when McSteamy succumbed to injuries he endured after the season 8 cliffhanger plane crash that also killed his colleague and on-and-off love interest Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh). Dane made an appearance on *Grey's* in 2021, when Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) had COVID and was having vivid dreams.

Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane on 'Grey's Anatomy'.

Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

In the aftermath of Dane's passing, his former costars have shared their remembrances and their fond memories of working with the late actor.

"One of the things I loved about Eric was his sensitivity and vulnerability, (and intelligence, of course) but he had the gravitas & old soul that made his work magnetic and made him a great friend off set," Kate Walsh wrote in a tribute posted shortly after Dane's death. "In those early days of *Grey’s*, as with most network tv shows, we spent more time with each other than with anyone else and so we became a family of sorts and Eric was such a source of support and love."

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Dempsey shared his memories of the late *Euphoria* star during an interview with *The Chris Evans Breakfast Show* on Feb. 20. "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," the actor remembered. "He had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly. First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant."

Demspey also applauded his friend for having called attention to ALS.

"He did an incredible job at bringing awareness to this horrible disease and those remaining days," Dempsey said, "and it just reminds us that we all have to celebrate every day like it's our last day."

- Grey's Anatomy Fandom

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Source: “EW Grey”