Eric Dane is an American actor who is best known for playing the role of Dr. Mark Sloan, also called “McSteamy,” on the hit TV show Grey’s Anatomy (2006–2012). He is also known for playing Captain Tom Chandler in the drama series The Last Ship, which started in 2014.
He has acted in many other popular shows and movies, such as Euphoria, Valentine’s Day, and Burlesque. People admire him for his strong acting skills and screen presence.
Early Life and Family
Eric Dane was born in San Francisco, California, on November 9, 1972. His full name is Eric William Melvin. His mother, Leah Dane, was a homemaker, and his father, William Melvin, was an interior designer and architect. Sadly, Eric’s father died from a gunshot wound when Eric was just 7 years old. After that, his mother raised him and his younger brother in the Jewish faith. He had a Bar Mitzvah when he was a teenager.
Dane studied at Sequoia High School in Redwood City and graduated in 1990. Then, he attended San Mateo High School from 1990 to 1991. In school, he was good at sports, especially water polo, but he found his true passion in acting after performing in a school play called All My Sons.
Eric Dane comes from a mixed background, including English, German, Finnish, Russian-Jewish, and Austrian-Jewish roots.
Eric Dane Career: Movies & TV Shows
Eric Dane moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to follow his dream of becoming an actor. At first, he played small roles in shows like Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married with Children. His big break came when he played Jason Dean on Charmed. But he became famous as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy (2006–2012). Fans loved his confident and charming character.
Eric Dane left Grey’s Anatomy in 2012 to try other roles. He also had a short stay in rehab in 2011 due to painkiller addiction.
After that, he starred in The Last Ship as Tom Chandler and became a producer on the show. Since 2019, he has played Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, which earned him lots of praise.
Eric Dane is known for his roles in popular TV shows and movies. He played Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, and Captain Tom Chandler on The Last Ship. He also appeared in Charmed as Jason Dean.
In movies, Eric has been in Valentine’s Day, Marley & Me, Burlesque, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Open Water 2. More recently, he starred in Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) and Redeeming Love.
Personal Life: Wife, Children, & Dating
Eric married actress Rebecca Gayheart on October 29, 2004. They have two daughters, Billie Beatrice Dane (born in 2010) and Georgia Geraldine Dane (born in 2011). Sadly, Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart split in 2018 after 14 years of marriage. Rebecca filed for divorce, saying they had “irreconcilable differences.” They are co-parenting their two children.
Eric and Rebecca once made headlines in 2009 for appearing in a private video with former Miss Teen USA Kari Ann Peniche. The video showed them nude and using drugs, which caused public controversy.
In early 2025, Eric Dane was seen on a date with his new girlfriend, Priya Jain, in Los Angeles. The couple walked arm-in-arm after dinner during their night out.
They were first spotted together in November 2024. This outing comes six years after Eric’s split from his ex-wife, Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he shares two daughters, Billie and Georgia.
Eric Dane’s ALS Diagnosis
Eric Dane, known for his roles in Euphoria and Grey’s Anatomy, announced in April 2025 that he has been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a serious illness that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The news shocked many fans, but Eric has stayed strong and is receiving love and support from people around the world.
Eric Dane's Net Worth 2025
Eric Dane has been working in movies and TV for many years. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be around $7 million, largely due to his successful career in television and film.
Eric Dane makes money through several sources. He earns from his TV shows, movies, from buying and selling properties in California, and royalties from reruns of his shows & movies. Additionally, he is paid for public appearances and events, including payments from the syndication of his past work. These income streams contribute to his estimated net worth of $7 million.
