After six seasons of making hearts flutter in the hallways of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Eric Dane has left Grey’s Anatomy in 2012. While his departure was presented as a personal choice at the time, the actor has just lifted the veil on the real reasons for his ouster, in an interview given to Dax Shepard’s podcast “Armchair Expert”.
“I didn’t leave, I think I was let go.”Eric Dane admitted bluntly. The 51-year-old actor revealed that he was struggling with alcohol and drug addiction at the time, while specifying that this was not the main reason for his dismissal. “They didn’t let me go because of that, even though it didn’t help,” he explained.
Financial Considerations and a Change in Personality
Eric Dane pointed to economic reasons to explain his ouster. “I was starting to become, like most actors who have spent a lot of time in a series, very expensive for the network” he confided. The actor added lucidly: “The network knows the show is going to do what it’s going to do, no matter who they keep. As long as they have their Grey, they’re good.”
But beyond the financial aspects, Eric Dane recognizes having changed over the years. “I wasn’t the same guy they hired anymore.”he admitted, thus understanding the production’s decision. The actor notably revealed that he had relapsed into his addictions during the writers’ strike in 2007, after several years of sobriety.
A smooth exit
Despite the difficult circumstances of his departure, Eric Dane has fond memories of his experience in Grey’s Anatomy and expresses gratitude to the series creator, Shonda Rhimes. “Shonda has been absolutely amazing. She has protected us fiercely, both in public and in private.” he stressed.
The actor clarified that his ouster was smooth: “It wasn’t a ‘You’re fired’ ceremony, it was more like ‘You’re not coming back’.”. Mark Sloan’s character thus met a tragic end, succumbing to the consequences of the famous plane crash which marked the end of season 8.
Eric Dane did, however, have the opportunity to make a surprise appearance in season 17, alongside Chyler Leigh, during a cult sequence in which Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) is plunged into a coma because of Covid-19 and has hallucinations.
Today sober “for three or four years”, Eric Dane, father of two teenage daughters, has bounced back professionally, notably with a notable role in the series “Euphoria”.
