Home Uncategorized “I Never Thought I’d Be Saying ‘Was’… And I Hate It.” — Chyler Leigh Breaks Down Over Eric Dane’s Death Two days after Eric Dane passed away at the age of 53, his former Grey’s Anatomy co-star — who helped create the unforgettable Mark Sloan–Lexie Grey love story — Chyler Leigh shared a farewell that left fans in tears. “ The last 48 hours have been truly brutal… I hate having to say ‘was’ when I talk about him.” — that heartbreaking opening line says it all. For Chyler, Eric wasn’t just the charming “McSteamy” on screen. He was a man with a heart of gold, a father who “loved his children fiercely,” and someone who brought laughter to the set with his uniquely sharp sense of humor. She mentioned that laughter — the kind that once echoed between intense scenes — as something that will never return. Amid the grief, Chyler also emphasized Eric’s strength throughout his battle with ALS. The disease gradually took his physical strength, but it never stole his dignity or the determination he wanted his children to witness. Those close to him say that even in his final days, he tried to stay optimistic — for his family. There’s also a behind-the-scenes story from Grey’s Anatomy — about how Eric protected his co-stars and maintained a positive energy even as his condition worsened — that has left many colleagues choked up when recalling it.

“I Never Thought I’d Be Saying ‘Was’… And I Hate It.” — Chyler Leigh Breaks Down Over Eric Dane’s Death Two days after Eric Dane passed away at the age of 53, his former Grey’s Anatomy co-star — who helped create the unforgettable Mark Sloan–Lexie Grey love story — Chyler Leigh shared a farewell that left fans in tears. “ The last 48 hours have been truly brutal… I hate having to say ‘was’ when I talk about him.” — that heartbreaking opening line says it all. For Chyler, Eric wasn’t just the charming “McSteamy” on screen. He was a man with a heart of gold, a father who “loved his children fiercely,” and someone who brought laughter to the set with his uniquely sharp sense of humor. She mentioned that laughter — the kind that once echoed between intense scenes — as something that will never return. Amid the grief, Chyler also emphasized Eric’s strength throughout his battle with ALS. The disease gradually took his physical strength, but it never stole his dignity or the determination he wanted his children to witness. Those close to him say that even in his final days, he tried to stay optimistic — for his family. There’s also a behind-the-scenes story from Grey’s Anatomy — about how Eric protected his co-stars and maintained a positive energy even as his condition worsened — that has left many colleagues choked up when recalling it.

Uncategorized · 22/02/2026 · comments off

Chyler Leigh, Eric Dane’s On-Screen Love Interest on Grey’s Anatomy, Shares Emotional Tribute After His Death: ‘I Hate It’

“He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY,” Leigh wrote, in part, of her late former costar in a statement shared on Feb. 21.

Chyler Leigh attends Hallmark Channel’s “The Way Home” season 3 screening & Emmys FYC event at The Aster on April 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Eric Dane attends the "Countdown" Premiere and After-Party on June 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Chyler Leigh; Eric Dane. Credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • Chyler Leigh, who played Eric Dane’s love interest on Grey’s Anatomy, paid tribute to him two days after his Feb. 19 death
  • “The last 48 hours have been devastating,” Leigh wrote, in part, of her late former costar in a statement shared on Feb. 21
  • Other Grey’s Anatomy stars including Patrick Dempsey, Kevin McKidd, Sarah Drew and Kim Raver also have shared tributes

Chyler Leigh paid tribute to her late on-screen love interest Eric Dane.

The 43-year-old actress — who played Lexie Grey opposite Dane’s Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy — shared a heartfelt tribute to her late former costar two days after Dane died on Feb. 19 at the age of 53.

“The last 48 hours have been devastating,” Leigh wrote in a statement to E! News. “I never thought I would be using the term ‘had or was,’ but here we are. And I hate it.”

She continued, “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.”

UNITED STATES - APRIL 16: GREY'S ANATOMY - "What a Difference a Day Makes" - ERIC DANE, CHYLER LEIGH
Chyler Leigh and Eric Dane in a ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ scene (2009). Scott Garfield/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

“He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY,” Leigh added, referring to Dane’s two daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 14, whom he shares with ex Rebecca Gayheart.

Chyler went on to rave about how “passionate about his work” he was and “the causes he kept close to his heart,” including his advocacy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a.k.a. Lou Gehrig’s disease, which he had been diagnosed with less than a year prior to his death.

“The Universe is undoubtedly holding Eric now just as I will continue to do within my heart forever,” she concluded her statement.

Dane’s family confirmed his death in a statement to PEOPLE on Feb. 19, saying that the actor 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.”

GREY'S ANATOMY - "Invest in Love" - CHYLER LEIGH, ERIC DANERandy Holmes/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

“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,” they added.

Several other Grey’s Anatomy cast members shared tributes.

Patrick Dempsey, 60, recalled Dane’s heartbreaking final days and shared his thoughts of him during an appearance on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Feb. 20

“He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly,” Dempsey shared. “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 DEMPSEY; ERIC DANE - GREY'S ANATOMY
Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane in a ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ scene (2008). Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

“He had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly,” Dempsey continued. “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.”

Kevin McKidd, who also starred on the show, reposted on his Instagram Stories a photo shared by Variety of Dane on the Grey’s Anatomy set and wrote, “Rest in peace buddy…”

Grey’s alum Sarah Drew shared the same photo on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Rest in peace,” alongside three crying emojis.

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