Grey’s Anatomy Prepares an Emotional Farewell to Eric Dane

Following the devastating news of Eric Dane’s passing on February 19, after a heroic battle with ALS, Grey’s Anatomy is set to honor one of its most popular characters.

ABC has confirmed that the upcoming episode, Season 22, Episode 11, titled "(If You Want It) Do It Yourself" will serve as a formal tribute to the man who made "McSteamy" a household name. It’s a move that feels both necessary and impossibly heavy, especially considering Dane’s death occurred exactly twenty years after his character first walked out of that bathroom in nothing but a towel and changed the trajectory of primetime television forever.

A Legacy Written in the Hospital Walls

For the casual fans (or those who stopped watching in 2012), let’s have a quick refresher. Eric Dane didn’t just play a doctor; he played the doctor. Mark Sloan was the arrogant, charming and eventually soft-hearted plastic surgeon who gave the show its swagger. When the show renamed its central setting to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, it wasn't just a plot point, it was a testament to Dane’s impact on the series’ DNA.

Early reports from the ABC Press Site suggest that the tribute will likely include a special "In Memoriam" title card and potentially archival footage that honors Sloan’s journey from "Dirty Mistress" to devoted father.

The Cast Speaks Out

The Grey’s family, has been vocal about the loss. Patrick Dempsey led the charge on social media, praising Dane’s advocacy for ALS research following his 2025 diagnosis. Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver have also shared behind-the-scenes memories that remind us why this cast has stayed a family for over two decades.

Expect the upcoming episode to lean heavily into the themes of legacy. While the show has seen more than its fair share of exits (most of them involving tragic bus accidents or plane crashes), this real-world loss adds a layer of gravity that even the best writers in Shondaland couldn't script.

Eric Dane Shares Heartbreaking Message

What to Expect Next Week

The episode airing on February 26, 2026, is poised to be one of those "event" nights that pulls the old-school fandom back in. Whether we get a full-blown montage or a quiet, reflective moment in the halls of the hospital that bears his name, it’s going to be a rough hour. Eric Dane brought a specific brand of cool to the screen that simply cannot be replicated.

Are you planning on tuning in for the McSteamy tribute, or is the wound still too fresh? Let us know your favorite Mark Sloan moments and stay tuned for our full recap of the memorial episode next Friday.

Will you be rewatching Mark Sloan’s best episodes on Hulu before the tribute airs?