Patrick Dempsey paid tribute to his “Grey’s Anatomy” co-star Eric Dane, calling him “the funniest man” and “such a joy to work with” after Dane died on Feb. 19 at 53 years old.
The two starred on “Grey’s Anatomy” together for several season as Dr. Derek Shepherd and and Dr. Mark Sloan, aka McDreamy and McSteamy. They played rival surgeons who later became best friends and two of the biggest heartthrobs on the medical drama.
“I just woke up this morning, and I was very sad to read the news,” Dempsey said on “The Chris Evans Breakfast Show” Friday morning. “It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children. I was corresponding with him, we were texting. So I spoke to him about a week ago.”
Dempsey added, “Some friends of ours went in to see him, and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak, he was bed-ridden and it was very hard for him to swallow. The quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.” Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis in 2025 and had opened up about his physical challenges in recent months. even with his diagnosis, he vowed to keep working and completed his filming on “Euphoria” Season 3, releasing on HBO in April.
“He had a great sense of humor,” Dempsey said. “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.”
“Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes also paid tribute to Dane after his death, saying in a statement, “Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ families. He was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the world. We are grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship and humanity he shared with us for so many years. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his work.”
Source: variety.com
