Euphoria creator Sam Levinson remembered veteran actor Eric Dane after he passed away, battling ALS. Dane revealed his diagnosis last year and passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Even HBO posted a statement in honor of the 53-year-old actor.
Sam Levinson pays tribute to Eric Dane
Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria. spoke about Eric Dane shortly after the actor passed away following a complex battle with ALS.
“I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor,” Levinson said in a statement to Variety about Dane, “Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing,”
HBO also released a statement after Dane’s passing. The network posted from its official Instagram page, “We are deeply saddened by the news of Eric Dane’s passing. He was incredibly talented, and HBO was fortunate to have worked with him on three seasons of Euphoria. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Eric Dane, best known on television for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, which also earned him global stardom, was in a very different role in Euphoria. He played the father of Jacob Elordi’s character on the show. He previously told Variety about the role, “I’ve always had a profound respect for the craft of acting, but I never considered myself an artist. I could never admit it, until I started making ‘Euphoria.’ That’s when I gave myself the allowance to feel like I was an artist.”
He had also said about creator Levinson, “I just have so much trust in Sam Levinson that I don’t really need to know what’s happening. On the day, he can just tell me what to do and where to go, and I’m good with it.”
Euphoria will return with a final season soon.
Meanwhile, other actors and creatives continue paying tribute to Eric Dane.
