- Primary Subject: The legacy of Eric Dane and the Grey's Anatomy tribute following his passing
- Key Update: Grey's Anatomy paid tribute to Eric Dane in the recent episode.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 27, 2026
- Quick Answer: Following Eric Dane's passing on February 19, 2026, Grey’s Anatomy honored the "McSteamy" actor with an emotional career-spanning montage and an "In Memoriam" dedication.
The recently aired episode of Grey's Anatomy featured an emotional tribute to the late star Eric Dane as it said goodbye to the beloved former cast member.
The actor, who is known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan in the hit medical drama, passed away on February 19 following his battle with ALS. Since then, tributes have poured in from his fans and the co-stars that he worked with throughout his career.
Now, the series that made him a household name has paid tribute to his remarkable contribution and legacy.
How Grey's Anatomy Paid Tribute to Eric Dane
The recent episode of Grey's Anatomy titled "(If You Want It) Do It Yourself" ended with a tribute to Eric Dane. It is the first new episode that aired since his passing.
Set to a cover of "Chasing Cars," they showed a montage of some of Dane's iconic moments as Dr. Mark Sloan (aka McSteamy), including the hotel room scene that ended Derek and Addison's marriage and his encounters with the various characters.
It also highlighted his memorable scenes with Lexie (played by Chyler Leigh), whom Dr. Sloan became his on-and-off love interest until they died in the eighth-season finale.
The tribute montage ended with a scene from Dane's final appearance in the series, when he showed up in a beach dream sequence in an episode that aired during the COVID-19 pandemic and told Meredith, "Don’t waste one single minute."
The final image in the montage turned into black-and-white with the dedication: "In loving memory of Eric Dane, 1972-2026."
How the Grey's Anatomy Cast Members Reacted to Eric Dane's Death
Several cast members from Grey's Anatomy posted their tributes to Dane on social media following the news of his passing.
Chyler Leigh wrote an emotional tribute to Dane, with whom she shared many scenes since their characters were love interests.
"Eric had a heart of gold. His humor and, especially, his laugh was infectious. He was a deeply intelligent man who could carry a philosophical conversation for hours even while we were on set. He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY. Incredibly passionate about his work and the causes he kept close to his heart," she said.
Meanwhile, Kate Walsh, who plays Dr. Addison Montgomery, recalled how she and Dane started their stint in the series at the same time.
"I literally remember my very first scene with Eric…an elevator scene at Seattle Greys. So, so long ago. I believe it was his first scene on the show too, and he was nervous. He was so handsome, and I thought ‘but can this guy act?’ and of course he could, and did, and the rest is history," she wrote.
"One of the things I loved about Eric was his sensitivity and vulnerability (and intelligence, of course), but he had the gravitas & old soul that made his work magnetic and made him a great friend off set. In those early days of Grey’s, as with most network tv shows, we spent more time with each other than with anyone else, and so we became a family of sorts, and Eric was such a source of support and love."
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