Los Angeles, California – Actor Eric Dane reflects on his departure from the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, where he portrayed Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as McSteamy. Dane revealed that he struggled with addiction during his time on the show, despite being sober for around four years before joining the cast in 2006.
In a recent podcast interview, Dane admitted that his addiction issues impacted his performance on the show and ultimately led to his departure. He acknowledged that his escalating fame and the pressures that came with it contributed to his struggles. Although creator Shonda Rhimes supported him, Dane understood the decision to let him go from the series.
Introduced in Season 2, Dr. Mark Sloan met a tragic end in Season 9 due to injuries sustained in a plane crash from the previous season. Dane reprised his role in a special season 17 episode, where deceased characters appeared as hallucinations on a beach as part of Meredith Grey’s storyline while battling COVID-19.
Before leaving Grey’s Anatomy in 2012, Dane sought treatment for his addiction to prescription drugs, which stemmed from a sports injury. As fans anticipate his return to HBO’s Euphoria for the delayed Season 3, Dane has landed a role in the upcoming Amazon series Countdown alongside Jensen Ackles and Jessica Camacho.
With his past challenges behind him, Dane looks forward to his future projects and continues to showcase his talent on-screen.