Chyler Leigh has opened up about the moment she learned of her ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ costar Eric Dane‘s passing, describing the flood of emotions that followed in a candid and heartfelt conversation. The 44-year-old actress, who played Dr. Lexie Grey opposite Dane’s Dr. Mark Sloan on the beloved medical drama, spoke about the deep bond she shared with her late costar and the grief that has followed in the months since. Dane, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, passed away on February 19 at the age of 53, less than one year after his diagnosis. His passing sent shockwaves through the entertainment community and among fans of the long-running series.
Chyler Leigh on the moment she learned of Eric Dane’s passing
Speaking on the May 13 episode of the ‘You Might Know Her From’ podcast, Leigh recalled the moment she received the news. “It had been a while since I had connected with him, and then I got the news,” she said. “Then, it just hit me. At first, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe this happened.'”Leigh admitted that she initially struggled to process what she had heard. According to her, the news did not fully settle in until she was on a flight home to Nashville from Los Angeles a few days later. “All of a sudden, it just hit,” she recalled. “I had to keep getting up and going to use the lavatory because I was just sobbing.” She added, “I didn’t know it was going to hit me that hard and especially that fast. It was definitely a grief.“
Chyler Leigh on her memories of Eric Dane
Nearly three months on, Leigh says she is gradually finding her way back to the fond memories she shared with her late co-star. “When I see the reels of his past work, it’s not like I’m over it,” she explained, “but I’m able to see past the absolute devastation of it and be able to appreciate even more so those incredible moments that we had together.”The ‘Supergirl’ actress remembered Dane as a wonderful scene partner with one of the kindest hearts. “We had a deep relationship, a respect for one another,” she said, calling him a “deep, deep man.” She added, “It was really special working with him. We always were able to laugh even amid the most absurd or devastating circumstances.”
Chyler Leigh’s tribute to Eric Dane
In the immediate aftermath of his passing, Leigh shared a statement with E! News paying tribute to her former costar. “Eric had a heart of gold,” she said. “His humor and, especially, his laugh were infectious. He was a deeply intelligent man who could carry on a philosophical conversation for hours, even while we were on set. He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY. Incredibly passionate about his work and the causes he kept close to his heart.“She concluded, “The Universe is undoubtedly holding Eric now, just as I will continue to do within my heart forever.”Dane is survived by his two daughters, Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14, whom he shared with estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart.
