Dax Shepard and Eric Dane were close friends; nonetheless, things weren’t all the time great between them. The truth is, Shepard recently revealed that he initially “hated” the “Grey’s Anatomy” star after having an intense interaction with him during a recovery meeting. Once the dust between them had settled, though, the actors realized they were more alike than they realized.
Dax Shepard ‘Hated’ Eric Dane … Described Him As A ‘Bit Of A Bully’
Speaking with Anderson Cooper on the Latest Orleans Book Festival, Shepard recalled the primary time he bumped heads with Dane.
“Eric Dane, I can now say I met in recovery and we hated one another. I hated him,” Shepard said. “I believed he was a little bit of a bully.”
Shepard went on to disclose that things had reached a boiling point between them when he noticed Dane allegedly exerting his power over a younger guy.
Shepard said he’d had enough by that time and said to Dane, “Let’s go. Outside. Immediately.” Shepard explained that the pair made their method to the parking zone to throw down, but others intervened.
How Dax Shepard Found Himself Relating To Eric Dane After Almost Getting Into A Physical Fight
And while the pair almost got here to blows, Shepard said Dane selected to return to their recovery meetings.
From there, the pair formed a friendship over the “course of the following two years.” Shepard said he “found myself beginning to type of relate to him. I heard his story.”
Shepard revealed that Dane allegedly opened up in regards to the hardships in his life, corresponding to losing his father by suicide and being forced to suppress his grief.
“In order that little boy held onto that. After which that little boy grew up with no dad, like I grew up with no dad, and he was so searching for masculine validation, and it took all these shapes that I hated. That I’m sure he hated in me,” Shepard said.
Eric Dane Relapsed While Filming ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Dane has been open about his struggles with addiction. Prior to now, he said he was sober for years before joining the solid of “Grey’s Anatomy”; nonetheless, he relapsed in 2007.
“If you happen to take the entire eight years I used to be on Grey’s Anatomy, I used to be f—ed up longer than I used to be sober and that was when things began going sideways for me,” he said, in response to PEOPLE.
Dane was let go from the series in 2012 when his character, McSteamy, was killed in a crash. And despite relapsing while filming, Dane said his drinking was not the rationale he was let go.
“I used to be struggling. They didn’t let me go due to that, even though it definitely didn’t help,” he said. “I used to be beginning to change into — as most of those actors who’ve spent significant time on the show — you begin to change into very expensive for the network.”
Eric Dane Passed Away In February 2026 After A Years-Long Battle With ALS
In response to a previous report from The Blast, Dane passed away in February 2026 after a years-long battle with ALS. He was 53.
ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a nerve-system disease that causes lack of muscle control, in response to the Mayo Clinic.
Dane’s family released a press release to TMZ after his passing, confirming the actor was surrounded by family on the time of his death.
Along with his role on “Grey’s Anatomy,” Dane also starred in “The Last Ship,” “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” “X-Men,” and “Euphoria.”
Shonda Rhimes Pays Tribute To Dane Following His Sudden Passing
Several of Dane’s former co-stars paid their respects to the late actor, in response to The Blast. “Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes also gave her condolences before remembering him with a moving social media post.
“Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey’s Anatomy families. He was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the globe. We’re grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship, and humanity he shared with us for therefore a few years. Our hearts are together with his family, family members, and all who were touched by his work,” Rhimes captioned a photograph of them on Instagram.