I’ve been a fan of Grey’s Anatomy for years. I had no idea about McSteamy and the dram going on.
Eric Dane recently opened up about his departure from the long-running TV show “Grey’s Anatomy,” where he famously played Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately known as McSteamy. Dane’s character was a staple on the show, first appearing as a guest star at the end of the second season and quickly becoming a series regular due to positive viewer reception. However, his journey on the show came to an end after his character succumbed to injuries from a plane crash in the season eight finale.
Speaking on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Podcast, Dane discussed the circumstances surrounding his exit from the show. He suggested that his departure wasn’t entirely his choice, hinting that economic factors played a role. “I think I was let go,” Dane admitted, pointing out the financial burden an actor of his tenure posed to the network. He explained that the show would likely continue its success regardless of the cast changes, as long as the key characters, like Meredith Grey, remained.
While it seems like Grey’s Anatomy has been on the air for what feels like forever (19 years to be exact) , there is one character that has never been forgotten: Eric Dane’s Dr. Mark Sloan. https://t.co/Om4RczErJJ
— Us Weekly (@usweekly) June 29, 2024
Dane also touched upon his personal challenges during his time on the show, including struggles with addiction, which he believes may have influenced the decision to write him off, though it wasn’t the direct cause. “They didn’t let me go because of that, although it definitely didn’t help,” he said. He expressed understanding and gratitude towards showrunner Shonda Rhimes for her support during his tenure, noting, “I wasn’t the same guy they had hired.”
The actor also returned to “Grey’s Anatomy” briefly in season 17, appearing in a dream sequence while the show’s lead, Meredith, experienced a COVID-induced coma. This appearance allowed fans a moment of nostalgia and closure with his beloved character.
Eric Dane Explained The Surprising Reason Why He Left “Grey’s Anatomy,” And It’s Not What You Think https://t.co/gM2QegyOYL
— BuzzFeed Canada (@BuzzFeedCanada) June 29, 2024
Outside of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Dane has faced his share of personal battles, including a stint in rehab for painkiller addiction and struggles with depression. He reflected on the impact of sudden fame from the show, suggesting it contributed to his relapse. “It was overwhelming, and I think I just wanted to pretend that it wasn’t and that I was comfortable with it,” Dane shared, revealing the internal conflict between maintaining an image and dealing with reality.
Currently, Dane is active in the entertainment industry, portraying Cal Jacobs on the hit series “Euphoria,” where he plays the father of Nate Jacobs. This role marks a significant shift from his previous characters, showcasing his range as an actor. Additionally, Dane recently starred in “Bad Boy: Ride or Die,” alongside Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, further cementing his status in both television and film.
Eric Dane is opening up about being written off Grey’s Anatomy after six seasons of playing Dr. Mark Sloan, aka McSteamy, on the hit ABC series https://t.co/j15PQ9buGl
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 29, 2024
Key Points;
i. Eric Dane revealed on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Podcast that he was likely let go from “Grey’s Anatomy” due to becoming financially burdensome for the network, despite his struggles with addiction not being the direct cause.
ii. Dane played Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as McSteamy, on “Grey’s Anatomy” and was written off the show after his character died from injuries sustained in a plane crash at the end of season eight.
iii. He briefly returned to the show in a dream sequence in season 17 during a storyline involving Meredith Grey’s COVID-induced coma.
iv. Dane discussed his personal challenges during his tenure on the show, including dealing with sudden fame and a relapse into addiction, which he did not handle well.
v. Currently, Dane continues his acting career, playing Cal Jacobs on “Euphoria” and recently appearing in the film “Bad Boy: Ride or Die” alongside Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
Carla Delorenzo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
