Erice Dane's official cause of death has been confirmed. The beloved Grey's Anatomy star died on Thursday, February 19, after suffering what has now been revealed as respiratory failure. According to his death certificate obtained by PEOPLE, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is also an underlying cause of death. The Hollywood icon, best known for his role as Dr Mark Sloan, had been diagnosed with the incurable progressive degenerative disease in April 2025.

ALS is a progressive degenerative disease that affects the nerve cells, leading to eventual paralysis of the muscles, according to the Mayo Clinic. While there is no cure for ALS, there are medications and forms of physical therapy that can slow the progression. In their heartbreaking statement, the actor's family stated: "With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world."

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