Dax Shepard and Eric Dane had been shut mates; nonetheless, issues weren’t all the time nice between them. In truth, Shepard not too long ago revealed that he initially “hated” the “Gray’s Anatomy” star after having an intense interplay with him throughout a restoration assembly. As soon as the mud between them had settled, although, the actors realized they had been extra alike than they realized.
Dax Shepard ‘Hated’ Eric Dane … Described Him As A ‘Bit Of A Bully’
Speaking with Anderson Cooper on the New Orleans Ebook Competition, Shepard recalled the primary time he bumped heads with Dane.
“Eric Dane, I can now say I met in restoration and we hated one another. I hated him,” Shepard stated. “I believed he was a little bit of a bully.”
Shepard went on to disclose that issues had reached a boiling level between them when he observed Dane allegedly exerting his energy over a youthful man.
Shepard stated he’d had sufficient by that time and stated to Dane, “Let’s go. Exterior. Proper now.” Shepard defined that the pair made their technique to the parking zone to throw down, however others intervened.
How Dax Shepard Discovered Himself Relating To Eric Dane After Nearly Getting Into A Bodily Struggle

And whereas the pair nearly got here to blows, Shepard stated Dane selected to return to their restoration conferences.
From there, the pair fashioned a friendship over the “course of the subsequent two years.” Shepard stated he “discovered myself beginning to form of relate to him. I heard his story.”
Shepard revealed that Dane allegedly opened up concerning the hardships in his life, equivalent to dropping his father by suicide and being pressured to suppress his grief.
“In order that little boy held onto that. After which that little boy grew up and not using a dad, like I grew up and not using a dad, and he was so seeking masculine validation, and it took all these shapes that I hated. That I’m positive he hated in me,” Shepard stated.
Eric Dane Relapsed Whereas Filming ‘Gray’s Anatomy’

Dane has been open about his struggles with habit. Prior to now, he stated he was sober for years earlier than becoming a member of the forged of “Gray’s Anatomy”; nonetheless, he relapsed in 2007.
“If you happen to take the entire eight years I used to be on Gray’s Anatomy, I used to be f—ed up longer than I used to be sober and that was when issues began going sideways for me,” he stated, based on PEOPLE.
Dane was let go from the sequence in 2012 when his character, McSteamy, was killed in a crash. And regardless of relapsing whereas filming, Dane stated his consuming was not the explanation he was let go.
“I used to be struggling. They didn’t let me go due to that, though it positively didn’t assist,” he stated. “I used to be beginning to grow to be — as most of those actors who’ve spent vital time on the present — you begin to grow to be very costly for the community.”
Eric Dane Handed Away In February 2026 After A Years-Lengthy Battle With ALS

In keeping with a earlier report from The Blast, Dane handed away in February 2026 after a years-long battle with ALS. He was 53.
ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a nerve-system illness that causes lack of muscle management, based on the Mayo Clinic.
Dane’s household launched an announcement to TMZ after his passing, confirming the actor was surrounded by household on the time of his demise.
Along with his function on “Gray’s Anatomy,” Dane additionally starred in “The Final Ship,” “Dangerous Boys: Journey or Die,” “X-Males,” and “Euphoria.”
Shonda Rhimes Pays Tribute To Dane Following His Sudden Passing

A number of of Dane’s former co-stars paid their respects to the late actor, based on The Blast. “Gray’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes additionally gave her condolences earlier than remembering him with a shifting social media put up.
“Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Gray’s Anatomy households. He was really a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the sequence and on audiences all over the world. We’re grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship, and humanity he shared with us for thus a few years. Our hearts are along with his household, family members, and all who had been touched by his work,” Rhimes captioned a photograph of them on Instagram.

