Eric Dane’s official cause of death has been released.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” star died of respiratory failure, per his death certificate obtained by People on Monday.
Additionally, his underlying cause of death was a result of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Eric Dane (photographed here in November 2025) died of respiratory failure, according to his death certificate obtained by People on Monday. Netflix
The underlying cause of death for Dane (photographed here in 2019) was a result of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Getty Images for FIJI Water
Dane tragically passed away Feb. 19, 10 months after announcing his ALS diagnosis. He was 53.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family told Page Six in a statement.
“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight.”
The “Euphoria” star (seen here in October 2025) passed away on Feb. 19. Roger / PGP / BACKGRID
Dane (photographed above in May 2024) was 53. REUTERS
Before his death, the “Euphoria” star had been candid about his condition — “a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord” and results in a “loss of muscle control.”
In June 2025, during an interview with “Good Morning America,” Dane revealed his symptoms first manifested as weakness in his right hand.
“I didn’t really think anything of it at the time,” he said about his initial dismissal. “I thought maybe I had been texting too much or my hand was fatigued. But a few weeks later, I noticed it had gotten a little worse.”
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” the actor’s family told Page Six. Getty Images
Dane (photographed here in May 2024) announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. REUTERS
By September, he was photographed using a wheelchair to move through an airport in Washington, D.C.
Although he took on an acting job while struggling with ALS, Dane was forced to pull out of an ALS event in January due to complications of his condition.
At the time of his death, Dane was married to his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart. The two had called off their divorce in March 2025 after initially splitting seven years prior.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” star (photographed here in November 2025) was seen in a wheelchair that September. Netflix
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart (seen here in 2022), and their two kids. rebeccagayheartdane/Instagram
The duo had tied the knot in 2004 and shared daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14.
Gayheart, 54, explained their relationship in an essay for The Cut in December, explaining that she and Dane “haven’t lived in the same home for eight years” and had a “familial love.”
The “Jawbreaker” star stated that Dane has “dated other people” — and so has she — since filing for divorce in 2018.