The “Euphoria” Season 3 premiere included a title card that honored Eric Dane after his tragic death.
Before the episode premiered on Sunday, a photo of Dane popped up on the screen with the message, “In remembrance of Eric Dane. 1972-2026.”
The show also included “in memoriam” tribute cards to Dane, late co-star Angus Cloud and late producer Kevin Turen at the end of the episode.
Cloud, who played Fez, tragically overdosed in 2023 at age 25, while Turen died in November 2023 at age 44 from a cardiac emergency while driving.
Dane returned to his role as Nate Jacobs’ (Jacob Elordi) father, Cal Jacobs, in the hit HBO series before he died on February 19 at age 53.
He filmed scenes for Season 3 while he was battling Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The late actor did not appear in Sunday’s premiere.
During a recent interview with “Extra,” creator Sam Levinson explained that he and Dane had a deep conversation about the actor’s ALS diagnosis before they shot Season 3.
“I loved him very deeply, and I said, ‘Eric, whatever shape you show up in, we’re gonna make it work. I have faith that it’s all gonna work,’” Levinson recalled.
When Dane showed up to set, Levinson noticed that the “Grey’s Anatomy” alum “had a slight slur in his voice.”
“I said, ‘Don’t worry. We’ll just put, like, five beer bottles in front of you and you’ve been drinking all night,’” Levinson said. “He was like, ‘Perfect, perfect.’ And his character, it was such a gift.”
In the Season 3 trailer, Dane’s character reunites with Jules (Hunter Schafer), whom he hooked up with in Season 1.
“Remember me?” Jules asks Cal, who replies, “How can I forget?”
Last June, Dane told “Access Hollywood” that it was “great to be back” on set after a four-year break between seasons.
“I can assure you that we are in production and we are shooting a really great TV show,” he said.
Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. He was seen using a wheelchair at the end of his life.
“Euphoria” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.
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