Eric Dane Height, Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Biography » StarsUnfolded

Some Lesser Known Facts About Eric Dane

• Eric Dane grew up in Northern California.

• He was raised in his mother’s Jewish faith and had a bar mitzvah as part of his religious upbringing.

• Dane was seven years old when his father died by suicide as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
  

  A childhood picture of Eric Dane

• Eric studied at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California (1987 -1990) and San Mateo High School in San Mateo, California (1991).
  

  Eric Dane at Sequoia High School’s homecoming dance in 1989

• During his school years, he was actively involved in sports and competed on the boys’ varsity water polo team.

• His interest in acting started in high school after he appeared in a school production of ‘All My Sons’ by Arthur Miller, which motivated him to pursue acting as a career.

• In 1993, Eric Dane moved to Los Angeles to build his acting career.

• He went on to appear in television series like ABC’s ‘The Wonder Years’ (1993), CBS’s ‘Silk Stalkings’ (1996), and The WB’s ‘Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane’ (2000).
  

  Eric Dane as ‘Justin Whalen’ in the series ‘Silk Stalkings’ (1996)

• In 1995, Dane played the role of ‘Matt’ in the television film ‘Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story,’ which aired on NBC.
  

  A poster of the film ‘Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story’ (1995)

• He appeared in many other television films, such as ‘Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story’ (1996), ‘Helter Skelter’ (2004), and ‘Wedding Wars’ (2006).
  

  A poster of the film ‘Helter Skelter’ (2004)

• Eric married actress Rebecca Gayheart on 29 October 2004. In February 2018, she filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. However, in March 2025, she reportedly asked to dismiss the divorce petition.
  

  Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart in 2006

• Eric Dane started dating filmmaker Janell Shirtcliff years after separating from Rebecca Gayheart. Eric and Janell made it official in June 2025, walking the red carpet together, though insiders say they’d been on-and-off for over three years.
  

  Eric Dane with Janell Shirtcliff

• Before dating Janell Shirtcliff, Eric Dane was involved with actress Priya Jain. They were together from late 2024 to early 2025; however, problems arose between them in June 2025 when Dane was seen with Janell at the red carpet.
  

  Eric Dane spotted with Priya Jain

• In 2005, Eric appeared as ‘Dr. Mark Sloan’ in an episode of ABC’s series ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ The role became so popular that he was made a regular cast member from season three.
  

• His first scene in Grey’s Anatomy season 3, where he appeared wearing only a towel, drew a lot of attention and called a “watercooler moment.”
  

• Eric left ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ after season 8; however, he briefly returned in season 9. In 2021, he came back for a special appearance, even though his character had died on the show years earlier.

• In 2006, Eric played ‘Jamie Madrox’ (Multiple Man) in the film ‘X-Men: The Last Stand.’
  

• He appeared in various other films, such as Sean Jackson in ‘Valentine’s Day’ (2010), Duke in ‘Redeeming Love’ (2022), Derek Stipes in ‘Dangerous Waters’ (2023), James McGrath in ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ (2024), and Bell in ‘Borderline’ (2025).
  

  Eric Dane as ‘Duke’ in a still from the film ‘Redeeming Love’ (2022)

• In June 2011, Eric Dane went to a California rehab center to treat a prescription drug addiction caused after an injury.

• Eric played the role of ‘Tom Chandler’ in TNT’s series ‘The Last Ship’ (2014-2018).
  

  Eric Dane as ‘Tom Chandler’ in a still from the series ‘The Last Ship’

• In April 2017, Eric took a break from filming ‘The Last Ship’ as he was struggling with depression, causing production to be put on hold until Memorial Day.

• Dane appered as ‘Cal Jacobs’ in HBO’s series ‘Euphoria’ (2019-2026). In an interview, he shared that filming certain scenes on the show was challenging, especially those that required him to wear a prosthetic.
  

• He worked in many other series, including Quibi’s ‘Wireless’ (2020), Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Countdown’ (2025), and NBC’s ‘Brilliant Minds’ (2025).
  

  Eric Dane as ‘Matthew’ in a still from the series ‘Brilliant Minds’ (2025)

• Eric Dane was a motorcycle enthusiast and owned several bikes over the years, but he reportedly sold them after starting a family.

• In early 2024, Eric Dane started experiencing sympomts of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which he revealed publicly in April 2025. By June, he could no longer use his right arm and hand, and by October 2025, he was fully reliant on a wheelchair.
  

  Eric Dane on a wheelchair

• Eric Dane passed away on 19 February 2026.