Eric Dane‘s friends are asking for financial support for the actor’s family after he lost his battle to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and died on Thursday at the age of 53. The news comes just 10 months after Dane first announced his diagnosis in April.
The actor, best known for his role on Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan “McSteamy” and Jacob Elordi’s dad on HBO’s Euphoria, is survived by his two daughters, Billie Beatrice Dane, 15, and Georgia Geraldine Dane, 13, whom he shares with Jawbreaker star Rebecca Gayheart.
On Friday, a GoFundMe page attributed to “Friends of the Dane Family” was set up to raise funds to “help provide stability” for his teenage girls.
“Following his diagnosis, Eric became a passionate spokesperson for the ALS community, using his voice and platform to advocate for fellow patients and to push for greater awareness,” the page reads in part. “Even as his own health declined, he remained deeply committed to helping others facing the same devastating disease. As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric’s friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.”
At the time of publication, Dane’s GoFundMe has raised $28,272 toward a $250,000 goal.
After his death, tributes poured in from Hollywood stars such as Shonda Rhimes, Sharon Stone, Sam Levinson, Ashton Kutcher, Nina Dobrev, Alyssa Milano, Kevin McKidd, John Stamos, James Pickens Jr., Selma Blair, and more.
Similar to Dane, after Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek died last week from colorectal cancer at age 48, the actor’s friends launched a GoFundMe page to support his wife and children after his medical costs left them “out of funds.” And the GoFundMe has raised more than $2.7 million.