Patrick Dempsey opens up about loss of “wonderful” Grey’s Anatomy co-star Eric Dane

by

Patrick Dempsey recently shared warm words about his former Grey’s Anatomy colleague, Eric Dane, describing him as both good-looking and smart.

Actor Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan in the popular medical drama, died last Friday, February 20th. He had been diagnosed with ALS, a disease also called Lou Gehrig’s, ten months prior.

Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane became fan favorites on Shonda Rhimes’s popular show, playing doctors Derek Shepherd and Mark Sloan. Viewers playfully nicknamed Dempsey ‘McDreamy’ and Dane ‘McSteamy’ because of their attractiveness.

Dempsey shared with TopMob that he always enjoyed working with Eric. He described Eric as someone with a fantastic sense of humor who was consistently professional, prepared, and had a warm, engaging personality. He also noted that Eric was intelligent and good-looking.

He was a much-loved character on Grey’s Anatomy and a truly wonderful person. He’ll be deeply missed, and my heart goes out to his family and children.

Dempsey expressed his sympathy to Dane’s family, particularly his daughters Billie and Georgia, and shared that he understood how difficult it is to lose a parent, especially when you’re a teenager.

Dempsey shared that he lost his father at a young age, and it was a deeply painful experience that he’s still healing from.

Eric was very young, and the disease he had impacts a lot of people. He dedicated himself to raising awareness, and hopefully, his death will inspire others to learn more and help find a cure.

Dempsey was one of the original cast members of Grey’s Anatomy, having been with the show since it began in 2005. He left during the eleventh season in 2015.

He said he particularly loves the first three seasons, as that’s when the show was still finding its footing. But what he’s most proud of is hearing from young viewers who were inspired by the show to pursue careers in medicine.

It’s incredibly rewarding to hear from people who were inspired by the show and are now working in or pursuing careers in medicine. Knowing we’ve had that kind of positive impact is a great feeling and a legacy we’re proud of.

In the new film, Memory of a Killer, Dempsey stars as Angelo, a hitman struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. The illness jeopardizes his ability to maintain both his dangerous profession and his role as a loving father.

When I first read the script, it really hit me hard. It made me confront my own feelings about getting older, losing loved ones, and the way memories fade. It wasn’t just a story; it sparked a lot of personal reflection, and honestly, it left me feeling a little uneasy thinking about my own mortality.

He explained that learning to read initially caused him a lot of worry and nervousness. He added that, facing the loss of people around him, and seeing young people die unexpectedly, had made him think differently about his own life and how much time he had left.

It’s just… when you’re young, you don’t really think about illness striking someone you love. Maybe an accident, something sudden, but now it feels like it’s disease – cancer, Alzheimer’s, something that slowly takes over. And it makes you think… how much time is left? What do I really want to do with it? It’s about making every moment count and not letting a single one slip away wasted.

Honestly, when I first read the script, it really disturbed me. It got me thinking, and I found myself strangely preoccupied with my own memory afterward – it just stuck with me and made me question things.

Memory of a Killer is available to stream on Prime Video in the UK

Don’t miss “Memory of a Killer”! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Jess Bacon

Jess Bacon is a freelance writer who reviews and interviews for film, TV, and culture, covering everything from blockbuster franchises like Marvel and Star Wars to how women are portrayed in media. Her writing appears in major publications including Rolling Stone, GQ, and The Guardian. She’s interviewed many well-known actors like Zendaya and Brie Larson. When she’s not deeply analyzing movies or online trends, she’s working on her first non-fiction book.

Read More

2026-02-26 15:34