Eric Dane played Dr. Mark Sloan in Grey’s Anatomy from season two until season nine
Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane has opened up about why he was ‘let go’ from the beloved medical drama, shedding light on the complex reasons behind his departure.
Last month, the 51-year-old actor, who brought Dr. Mark Sloan to life on the show from 2006 to 2012, shared his side of the story during a candid conversation on the Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepard.
In the interview, Dane openly discussed his struggles with both drug and alcohol addiction, though he clarified that these issues weren’t the direct cause of his exit. Instead, he speculated that his increasing salary demands might have played a role, stating, “As actors spend significant time on the show, they start to become very expensive for the network.”
Fans of Grey’s Anatomy will recall that in the season eight finale, Dr. Sloan was part of a dramatic aviation incident alongside co-stars Chyler Leigh (Lexie), Patrick Dempsey (Derek), Ellen Pompeo (Meredith), Sandra Oh (Cristina), and Jessica Capshaw (Arizona). While Lexie tragically died, Dr. Sloan survived but was critically injured, ultimately placed on life support.
Season nine saw his character reappear in flashbacks until his life support was turned off after 30 days, honoring his own wishes.
Dane expressed gratitude for the show’s producer Shonda Rhimes, praising her support despite his challenging departure. He remarked, “I was probably fired. It wasn’t ceremoniously like, ‘You’re fired’, it was just like, ‘You’re not coming back.’”
Since then, Dane has made peace with his departure. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he confirmed that he holds no bad feelings towards the show amidst his addiction struggles. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “Sometimes you just hang on and understand that this too shall pass. I never expected life to be easy all the time, no matter the circumstances.”
He further elaborated, saying, “Understanding that not everything is going to be a walk in the park has prepared me to weather the tough times. They come fast and furious, and often all you can do is just hang on and know that it’s going to pass.
“I no longer use substances and alcohol to deal with life’s challenges. It’s not celebratory, and it’s not something I pick up when things aren’t great. The only way out is through,” Dane added.
