Topics: Grey's Anatomy, Celebrity, TV And Film, US News
Eric Dane's Grey's Anatomy co-star Katherine Heigl has revealed why it took her two days to address the news of his death online.
According to a statement shared by his family, the Dr Mark Sloan actor tragically died on Friday (20 Feb), less than a year after Dane first announced he'd been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
His loved ones told PEOPLE: "With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.
"He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight."
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Responding to the news, a number of Dane's medical-drama co-stars issued online tributes, including Patrick Dempsey, Chyler Leigh, Kate Walsh, Jessica Capshaw and T.R. Knight.
One Grey's Anatomy star that remained quiet in the immediate aftermath of Dane's death was Katherine Heigl, who played Dr Izzie Stevens.
It wasn't until Sunday (22 Feb) that the actress shared a statement, in which she explained the delay.
"I debated this post for days," Heigl began, claiming the decision had been spurred by her own grief. "I have never been comfortable grieving publicly.
"I share my tears, my stories and my memories with those I’m closest to and more times than not I share them only with the heavens alone. But that silence can often look like a lack of care which I could not abide here."
Giving a shout-out to Dane's wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and the two daughters they shared, Billie and Georgia, the 47-year-old continued: "Rebecca, Billie, Georgia… There is so little, if in fact anything, one can say about a tragic loss like yours.
"All the 'I’m sorries' and 'My prayers are with you' ring a bit hollow in the midst of so much pain and grief. So I will say the only thing that has ever brought me peace when I’ve lost someone I love."
Quoting Robert Frost's poem 'Nothing Gold Can Stay', writing: "Natures first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; but only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, so Dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay."
Heigl then concluded her tribute by adding: "I will never forget Eric’s gold and I will forever be grateful I got to bask in it for even a brief moment in time.
"Thank you for sharing him with us. God Speed my old friend…here’s to your next great adventure."
In another cast-mate, Dempsey's tribute, the Dr Derek Shepherd actor described him on a Chris Evans Breakfast Show interview as 'the funniest man', as well as 'such a joy to work with'.
"I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it,' Dempsey added. "He had a great sense of humour. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly.
"First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant."
Dr Lexie Grey actor Chyler Leigh also gushed about Dane in an E! News statement: "Eric had a heart of gold. His humour and, especially, his laugh was infectious. He was a deeply intelligent man who could carry a philosophical conversation for hours even while we were on set.
"He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY. Incredibly passionate about his work and the causes he kept close to his heart."
Kate Walsh, who played Dr Addison Montgomery on the ABC drama, recalled her first scene with Dane, joking on Instagram: "He was so handsome and I thought, 'But can this guy act?', and of course he could, and did, and the rest is history."
She added: "One of the things I loved about Eric was his sensitivity and vulnerability, (and intelligence, of course) but he had the gravitas & old soul that made his work magnetic and made him a great friend off set."
TV star Jessica Capshaw, who played Dr Arizona Robinson on the show, shared a sentimental statement of her own on Instagram, writing: "For five seasons, Arizona and Mark shared witty banter, hard truths, big laughs (and cries), and so much of their hearts with one another.
"Beneath that confident charm lived a unique softness and a fierce love for his people that was rare and that only Eric could have brought to that character. Eric also had that same fierce and deep love for his family and my heart is with them during this time."
Dr George O'Malley actor T.R. Knight also shared a sweet social media statement, writing: "Eric, your generosity and humour will always be a guide, your courage and honesty, a beacon.
"My heart is a part of the vast circle that surrounds you and loves you."
