Patrick Dempsey told of how Eric Dane’s ‘quality of life rapidly deteriorated as he lost the ability to speak’ in the days before his death in a heartbreaking tribute.
The actor, 60, reflected on his friendship with his Grey’s Anatomy co-star after he passed away this week aged 53 following a battle with ALS.
Patrick revealed that he last spoke to him ‘about a week ago’ and wished to remember him for the ‘moments of fun that we had together.’
Eric was known for a multitude of roles throughout his Hollywood career, including his portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan (also known as McSteamy) on Grey’s Anatomy, while Patrick starred as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd.
Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Friday, Patrick said how he will always remember and celebrate the joy he brought to people’s lives.
He said: ‘I just woke up this morning and it was very sad to read the news. It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children.’
Patrick Dempsey told of how Eric Dane’s ‘quality of life rapidly deteriorated as he lost the ability to speak’ in the days before his death in a heartbreaking tribute (pictured in 2007)
The actor, 60, reflected on his friendship with his Grey’s Anatomy co-star after he passed away this week aged 53 following a battle with ALS (pictured on the series together)
Patrick continued: ‘I was corresponding with him, we were texting so I spoke to him about a week ago and some friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak.
‘He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.
‘He was the funniest man – he was such a joy to work with and I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it.
‘He had a great sense of humour. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly. First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant.’
‘We hit it off because it was never really any competition. There was just this wonderful mutual respect.
‘He’s wickedly intelligent and I’m always going to remember those moments of fun that we had together and celebrate the joy that he did bring to people’s lives and the real loss is for us who don’t have them anymore.
‘He did an incredible job at bringing awareness to this horrible disease and those remaining days and it just reminds us that we all have to celebrate every day like it’s our last day.
‘It’s something that we have to remember and certainly in a world where there is just so much crisis and there is so much tragedy that we really need to be grateful for every moment that we have.’
Patrick revealed that he last spoke to him ‘about a week ago’ and wished to remember him for the ‘moments of fun that we had together’ (pictured in 2020)
Patrick continued: ‘We were texting so I spoke to him about a week ago and some friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak’
He added: ‘He was the funniest man – he was such a joy to work with and I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it’ (Patrick, Eric, Kevin McKidd, and Jesse Williams in Grey’s Anatomy)
ALS is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control and paralysis as it gets worse over time; Dane pictured in October
Patrick added: ‘Spend time with our families, do things that are better, that benefit of other people to be of service to be kind, to be loving… these values.
‘With our leadership unfortunately that we’re seeing around the world and certainly in America with this horrible, corrupt government that is currently running America, we have to remember to treat our neighbours and our friends with the right values.’
In his final interview, Eric, described amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – the disease that tragically claimed his life at 53 on Thursday – as ‘something so horrible.’
The Grey’s Anatomy actor’s death was announced on Thursday, less than a year after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Dane continued to put on a brave face during difficult times, appearing on a virtual panel in December of 2025 for I AM ALS and Synapticure on Giving Tuesday.
He spoke about a role that he had on a Brilliant Minds episode the previously month, portraying a firefighter and 9/11 hero named Matthew, who had a difficult time disclosing his ALS diagnosis to relatives.
Dane said he was ‘grateful’ for the role – in which he acted opposite Mädchen Amick, who played his wife – as it was a ‘cathartic’ experience to portray living with ALS.
Dane said it had been ‘very encouraging’ that his spirit remained ‘buoyant … in the face of something so horrible.’
He said of his life two months ago: ‘I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day, I don’t think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying.’
Dane said he ‘was a little bit pleasantly surprised when I realized that I wasn’t built like that, because I thought for sure that was gonna be me.’
In his final interview, Eric described ALS – the disease that tragically claimed his life at 53 on Thursday – as ‘something so horrible.’ Pictured in June 2025
Dane said the role was a piece of the tireless advocacy he put forth in what would ultimately be his final days, as he spread awareness about the condition in hopes of bolstering more research toward a cure.
‘I make sure that people are aware of what ALS is and what it’s about, and more importantly, what we can do to combat it and improve the landscape,’ he said. ‘Because it’s so rocky and littered with hurdles and bureaucracy and all this other nonsense that we’re trying to sift through so we can get to a place where we go, start working on solution.’
The actor’s death was announced on Thursday, less than a year after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
‘With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,’ his family said in a statement to People on Thursday.
‘He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,’ they continued. ‘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.
‘He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time,’ their statement concluded.
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