Watch: Eric Dane Dead at 53: Everything the 'Grey's Anatomy' Star Said About His ALS BattlePatrick Dempsey is mourning his friend Eric Dane. Patrick-who costarred with Eric on Grey's Anatomy for six seasons-shed some light onto the late Euphoria star's final moments before passing away after a yearlong battle with ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Feb. 19 at the age of 53. "I just woke up this morning, and I was very sad to read the news," Patrick said in a Feb. 20 interview on Virgin Radio UK. "It's hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children. I was corresponding with him, we were texting. So I spoke to him about a week ago." In that time, Patrick learned how much Eric's ALS had progressed. "Some friends of ours went in to see him," he went on, "and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak, he was bed-ridden and it was very hard for him to swallow. The quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly." The 60-year-old also reflected on everything he loved about working with Eric-who shared daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, with wife Rebecca Gayheart-on Grey's.readWhat Eric Dane Said About His ALS Battle Before Death"He was the funniest man," Patrick shared. "He's such a joy to work with, and I want to just remember him in that spirit. Anytime he was on set, he brought so much fun to it. He had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with. We got along instantly. His first scene was him in all his glory coming out of the bathroom with a towel on looking amazing, making me feel completely out of shape and insignificant." As the Memory of a Killer star explained, their working relationship quickly became an off-set friendship that lasted for two decades.

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic"We hit it off because there was never really any competition," he noted. "It was just this wonderful mutual respect. He's wickedly intelligent. I'm always going to remember those moments of fun that we had together and celebrate the joy that he did bring to people's lives. The real loss is for us who don't have him anymore." Patrick also commended Eric for being so open about the devastating realities of ALS and reflected on the important reminders his friend's death has given him. "He did an incredible job at bringing awareness to this horrible disease in those remaining days, which was really brave him of him to do," he said. "It just reminds us that we have to celebrate every day like it's our last day."Instagram"It's something that we have to remember, certainly in a world where there is just so much crisis and there is so much tragedy," Patrick went on. "We really need to be grateful for every moment we have, spend time with our families, do things that are to the benefit of other people: to be of service, to be kind, to be loving." Keep reading for more stars' tributes to Eric following his passing...

Monica Schipper/WireImagePaul Walter HauserThe I, Tonya actor-who costarred alongside Eric in the 2023 film Americana-reflected on his friendship with the Grey's Anatomy actor. "We tried to book gigs, we tried to laugh at the pain and we tried to stay sober," Paul wrote on Instagram. "I'm glad we got to play together in Americana." He added, "I love you, man. I wish we had more time. Enjoy the arms of Father God. I'll see you again."Astrida Valigorsky/Getty ImagesMaria ShriverThe journalist shared she was "heartbroken" by the "devastating news" of Eric's death. "He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis," she wrote on X." He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS." She added of his upcoming memoir, being published under her imprint, "He told me he wanted his family to know how much he loved them, and he wanted to leave them a story they could be proud of."Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesSelma BlairThe Cruel Intentions actress-who worked with Dane on the '90s show Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane-offered her condolences by tagging the late actor in an Instagram Story and writing, "I love you. And yours."Alexandra Wyman/WireImageAshton KutcherThe That '70s Show actor reflected on the fun he had in a Fantasy Football league with Eric, writing on X, "The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane. We know you'll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let's keep fighting the fight to solve ALS."Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBOSam LevinsonThe Euphoria creator shared that his friendship with Dane-who played Cal Jacobs on the HBO series-was "a gift" following his tragic passing."I'm heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric," he said in a statement to Variety. "Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric's family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing."Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicNina Dobrev"Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Eric," his Redeeming Love costar wrote on her Instagram Stories alongside a picture on set with him. "He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about