Just hours after the heartbreaking death of his longtime co-star and close friend, Patrick Dempsey has opened up about their final exchanges.
Dempsey shared several details about his Grey’s Anatomy co-star Eric Dane’s last days before his tragic death from ALS. Speaking during a Friday appearance on Virgin Radio UK’s The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Dempsey said, “I just woke up this morning and I was very sad to read the news.”
After pausing to collect himself, he added, “It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children.”
Dane shared two daughters, Billie and Georgia, with estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart. The pair married in 2004 and although she filed for divorce in 2018, they later reversed course and called it off in March 2025, Page Six reported.
Dempsey continued, explaining that they had still been in contact. “I was corresponding with him, we were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago,” he said, adding that friends had recently visited Dane and noticed how quickly his condition had worsened.
“He was really starting to lose his ability to speak,” Dempsey shared. “He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly.”
Dempsey, 60, also remembered Dane as the “funniest man” and said he was “such a joy to work with.”
“I just want to remember him in that spirit,” he said, explaining that whenever Dane was on the Grey’s Anatomy set, he brought an energy that made everything lighter. He added that they “got along instantly.”
The actor, who played Derek Shepherd, recalled Dane’s first appearance on the series as Mark Sloan during season two in 2006.
“First scene was him in all of his glory coming out of the bathroom with a towel on, looking amazing,” Dempsey said with a laugh, joking that it made him feel “completely out of shape and insignificant.”
Still, he emphasized that there was never rivalry between them. “We hit it off because there was never really any competition,” he said. “There was this wonderful mutual respect. He’s wickedly intelligent, and I’m always going to remember those moments of fun that we had together and celebrate the joy that he did bring to people’s lives.”
Dempsey also praised Dane’s public fight against ALS, noting the impact it had beyond his acting career.
“He did an incredible job at bringing awareness to this horrible disease,” he said. “And those remaining days—it just reminds us that we all have to celebrate every day like it’s our last day.”
In a broader reflection, Dempsey added that in a world filled with crisis and tragedy, people should focus on gratitude and how they treat one another—spending time with family, being helpful, and choosing kindness and love whenever possible.
Dempsey joined the rest of the Grey’s Anatomy cast in honoring Dane following his shocking death at 53.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” a statement said. “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.
“He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Dane first revealed his diagnosis in April 2025, and despite rapidly losing control of his limbs, he continued working.
Most recently, he appeared in season two of Brilliant Minds, playing a firefighter diagnosed with ALS.
This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission.
