Following the news of Eric Dane‘s death, fans, costars, and Hollywood peers of the veteran actor have shared tributes in remembrance of his work and fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Sam Levinson, Alyssa Milano, Maria Shriver, Ashton Kutcher, and more honored Dane in heartfelt messages.
Dane died at the age of 53, just 10 months after he shared his diagnosis with the public. “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,” his family said in a statement. “He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.”
In a statement to Variety, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, wrote, “I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.” Dane starred in the HBO drama, delivering one of the most menacing portrayals as the father of Nate Jacobs (played by Jacob Elordi).
Milano, who worked with Dane on the WB series Charmed, shared an Instagram photo of the actor alongside his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters. “I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective,” she wrote in the caption. “And when it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren’t present. You could see it in the way his voice changed when he said their names. A breathtakingly beautiful family. The spark. The mischief. The tenderness he kept guarded but never totally hidden.” Milano added, “My heart is with the people who were lucky enough to be his home.”
Maria Shriver, whose publishing imprint, The Open Field, is set to publish a memoir written by Dane, titled Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, said that she was “heartbroken by this devastating news.” She continued, “He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis. He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS.” Shriver said the actor told her he wanted his family to “know how much he loved them, and he wanted to leave them a story they could be proud of.” She added, “Godspeed, Eric. It was an honor to know you, and we will honor your story.”
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I’m heartbroken by this devastating news about Eric Dane. What a tragedy. He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis. He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS.
I was honored he chose my publishing imprint to publish his memoir. He told me… pic.twitter.com/0A61G2uVcd
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) February 20, 2026
In his own post, Ashton Kutcher, wrote on X: “The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane. We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS.”
Paul Walter Hauser, who featured alongside Dane in the 2023 crime thriller Americana, shared a photo of the two together and said, “We tried to book gigs, we tried to laugh at the pain and we tried to stay sober. I’m glad we got to play together in Americana. I love you, man. I wish we had more time. Enjoy the arms of Father God. I’ll see you again”
John Stamos wrote in a tribute, “RIP, Buddy. Me and @realericdane played brothers years ago in a beautiful movie called, Wedding Wars. Good guy. Too soon.”
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Grey’s Anatomy star Kim Raver wrote on Instagram, “Eric was a light. You’d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Grey’s as well as when he was with Rebecca and the girls. During filming he’d get this twinkle in his eye and with a mischievous look, he would deliver with perfect comedic timing, a line of dialogue that would floor you! You will be missed.”
Martin Lawrence, who starred with Dane in 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die, shared a photo of the pair, writing, “My condolences go out to the family of @realericdane 🙏🏾 I can tell you firsthand — solid brotha, true professional, and brought that presence every single time. Much love!”