Eric Dane’s posthumous memoir, My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, shares new details about his time playing Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy. Dane died on February 19, 2026, aged 53, after living with ALS.
Dane wrote that he nearly skipped the audition for Mark Sloan because he had already tested for Derek Shepherd, the role that went to Patrick Dempsey. He was reluctant to audition for what he viewed as a guest role, but changed his mind and ultimately won the part. He described the experience of working with the cast and crew as a joy.
The memoir also recounts how a neck injury led to a prescription for painkillers and affected Dane’s health and behaviour on set. He wrote that he became withdrawn and said he went to rehab five times. Shonda Rhimes wanted to help, he recalled, but he told her he was handling the problem when he was not.
Dane said he eventually managed his addiction, but felt ready to leave the show. He wrote that the decision came down to money: despite Mark Sloan’s popularity, he had become too expensive and, in his view, expendable. Dane added that he was sober when the character was written out and wanted to leave on a strong note.
Sources: Just Jared.