Grey’s Anatomy: Shonda Rhimes on Eric Dane’s Legacy and Upcoming Emmy Recognition
Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes believes the late Eric Dane will receive the recognition he deserves at the upcoming Emmy Awards. This comes after Dane was notably absent from the Academy Awards’ In Memoriam segment.
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight backstage at the Oscars on Sunday night, Rhimes addressed the omission, stating, “Well, he’s not a movie star.” She quickly clarified, however, that this wasn’t a dismissal of Dane’s talent, but rather a reflection of the Oscars’ focus on film. “I feel like when the Emmys come around, he will be immortalized the way he should be. You can’t fault the Oscars for the fact they’re looking at movies, and there were so many people who are lost. Eric was unique to television and I can’t wait to see what they (Emmys) do with him,” Rhimes added.
A Career Defined by Television
Eric Dane passed away on February 19th at the age of 53, with respiratory failure and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) listed as contributing factors. While he had roles in films like X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and Marley & Me (2008), Dane was most celebrated for his television work.
He is best known for his eight-year portrayal of the charismatic plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark Sloan, on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. His presence on the show was a defining element for many seasons. Beyond Grey’s Anatomy, Dane also starred as the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer in the TNT post-apocalyptic drama The Last Ship, appeared in Charmed, and played a pivotal role as the father of Nate Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria (2019-2022).
Raising Awareness for ALS
Dane’s commitment to raising awareness for ALS extended beyond his personal battle. He portrayed an ALS patient in an episode of NBC’s Brilliant Minds, culminating in a poignant voiceover where his character used a speech-generating app, a tool often utilized by those losing their ability to speak due to the disease. This role underscored his dedication to shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals living with ALS.
A Profound Loss
Rhimes concluded with heartfelt words about Dane’s character, stating, “Eric is, was an incredible human being. I still say is because it’s very hard for me to believe he’s gone… And he was a huge loss for us. He was a huge loss for the Shondaland family, for the Grey’s Anatomy family and for those who he knew, he was just a wonderful, wonderful giving guy and I don’t know that everybody understands how amazing he was.”
The anticipation for the Emmys grows, with many hoping to see Eric Dane’s contributions to television rightfully honored. You can learn more about ALS and support research efforts at the ALS Association website.
