Kate Walsh Honors Eric Dane: “We Became a Family of Sorts” on Grey’s Anatomy

Kate Walsh has joined the chorus of tributes to Eric Dane, remembering her former Grey’s Anatomy co-star as both a talented actor and a cherished friend.

A Heartfelt Tribute

Walsh, who played Dr. Addison Montgomery, shared her memories of working alongside Dane, who portrayed Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan. “I’m at a loss for words to try to express the sadness around Eric’s passing,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “First and foremost, I am thinking of his girls and [Rebecca Gayheart, Dane’s wife] and holding them in my prayers and my heart.”

She recalled their first scene together — one of the show’s famous elevator moments — noting that Dane was nervous but quickly proved his acting chops. “He was so handsome, and I thought, ‘But can this guy act?’ And of course he could, and did, and the rest is history.”

A Family On Set

Walsh described Dane as sensitive, vulnerable, and intelligent, with an “old soul” that made his work magnetic. “In those early days of Grey’s, as with most network TV shows, we spent more time with each other than with anyone else, and so we became a family of sorts, and Eric was such a source of support and love.”

The two appeared together in 31 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and Dane also guest-starred in Walsh’s spinoff Private Practice.

Dane’s Legacy

Dane died at age 53 after battling ALS, a diagnosis he revealed less than a year ago. In that time, he advocated for ALS research, played a character with the disease on Brilliant Minds, and joined the board of directors of Target ALS. Walsh encouraged fans to honor Dane’s mission by supporting ALS research. “ALS is an awful disease, [and] too many people have lost loved ones to it. I know it was Eric’s mission to help find a cure. I would encourage you to look into @targetals in his memory.”