Kate Walsh penned a touching tribute to her “Grey’s Anatomy” co-star Eric Dane following his tragic death.
“I’m at a loss for words to try to express the sadness around Eric’s passing,” the actress wrote on Instagram Friday, one day after Dane died at the age of 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“First and foremost I am thinking of his girls and Rebecca and holding them in my prayers and my heart,” she continued, referring to Dane’s wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14.
Walsh played Dr. Addison Montgomery on the medical drama during Seasons 2 and 3 from 2005 to 2007. Dane joined the show — portraying Dr. Mark Sloan aka “McSteamy” — in Season 2 and left at the beginning of Season 9.
The “Private Practice” alum, 58, went on to recall filming scenes with Dane during their time on the series, where, at one point, their characters had a short-lived affair.
“I literally remember my very first scene with Eric…an elevator scene at Seattle Greys 😊 So, so long ago. I believe it was his first scene on the show too and he was nervous. He was so handsome and I thought ‘but can this guy act?’ 😂 and of course he could, and did, and the rest is history,” Walsh said.
The star explained that she “loved” Dane’s “sensitivity and vulnerability, (and intelligence, of course).”
Walsh and Dane stuck together in the early days of the ABC hit.
“As with most network tv shows, we spent more time with each other than with anyone else and so we became a family of sorts and Eric was such a source of support and love,” she continued, before stating that ALS is “an awful disease” and that “too many people have lost loved ones to it.”
Walsh wasn’t the only “Grey’s Anatomy” star to pay tribute to Dane after news broke of his heartbreaking passing.
Patrick Dempsey, who starred as Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka “McDreamy”) for 11 seasons from 2005 to 2015, honored his late co-star during his appearance on Virgin Radio UK’s “The Chris Evans Breakfast Show” on Friday.
“It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children,” the actor, 60, began. “I was corresponding with him, we were texting so I spoke to him about a week ago and some friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak.”
Dempsey told listeners that he is choosing to think of Dane in happier times, like on the set of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
“I just want to remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it,” confessed the “Dexter: Original Sin” alum. “First scene was him in all of his glory coming out of the bathroom with a towel on, looking amazing, making me feel completely out of shape and insignificant.”
As Page Six previously reported, Dane’s family confirmed the news of the actor’s death on Thursday.
“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,” their statement read in part.
“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife [Rebecca Gayheart], and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.”
Dane announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and became a fierce advocate for the I AM ALS movement over the past 10 months.
