Overview
- Dane died on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at age 53, with his family confirming he was surrounded by his wife Rebecca Gayheart and their daughters and requesting privacy.
- He publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and became a visible advocate for awareness and research, engaging with groups such as I AM ALS and the ALS Network.
- Recent months saw disease progression that curtailed appearances, including withdrawing from an ALS Network gala in January where he was to be honored.
- Best known for Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, he continued to work during his illness, wrote a memoir announced in December 2025, and portrayed a character with ALS on NBC’s Brilliant Minds.
- A posthumous interview for Netflix’s Famous Last Words has circulated, and friends organized a GoFundMe to support his daughters, while most outlets report he was 53 though one early report listed 52.