Eric Dane's posthumous memoir details addiction during 'Grey's Anatomy'
Eric Dane's posthumous memoir describes his long struggle with drug addiction, including during his years on "Grey's Anatomy," Entertainment Weekly and Us Weekly reported. He wrote that he entered treatment five times during the show's run. The book also covers his ALS diagnosis.
Eric Dane's posthumous memoir, "My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments," details his battle with drug addiction, including a relapse at the height of his success on "Grey's Anatomy," Entertainment Weekly and Us Weekly reported, citing excerpts published by People.
Dane worked on the book before his death in February at 53 after a battle with ALS, Entertainment Weekly reported. The memoir also describes discovering his diagnosis, Entertainment Weekly reported, and will be published nearly nine months after his death, Us Weekly reported.
Dane wrote that he struggled with substance abuse during a "dark period" in his 20s, Entertainment Weekly reported. "I got high, I got stoned, I got wasted, I shot up, I freebased, I did every drug imaginable," he wrote, according to Entertainment Weekly.
After joining "Grey's Anatomy," he had a few good years before relapsing in 2008 after herniating a disc in his neck while working out, Entertainment Weekly reported. "My body goes to s---. I drop to 170, my face caves in, my eyes cloud, I look gaunt," he wrote, Entertainment Weekly and Us Weekly reported. He wrote that he tried not to come to work high, but that "a couple times, I can't help it," Entertainment Weekly reported. "I feel other members of the cast looking at me," he wrote. "They don't judge me," Entertainment Weekly reported.
Dane entered treatment five times between seasons of the show, Us Weekly reported. He played plastic surgeon Mark Sloan, Us Weekly reported. His character was killed off in a plane crash at the end of season 8 in 2012, after creator Shonda Rhimes privately informed him he would not return, Us Weekly reported.
"My Grey's Anatomy ending does come, but not because of my addiction, although it's safe to say my addiction didn't help. The reason comes down to money," Dane wrote, according to Us Weekly. "Despite Mark Sloan's popularity, I have become too expensive. I have become expendable," he wrote, Us Weekly reported.
Dane later reprised the role in a dream sequence that aired in 2021, Us Weekly reported.
What we know: Dane's memoir describes years of addiction, five stints in treatment during "Grey's Anatomy" and his ALS diagnosis.
What we don't: The show's producers have not publicly responded to Dane's account of why he left the series.
Where outlets agree Entertainment Weekly and Us Weekly report, citing excerpts published by People, that Eric Dane's posthumous memoir details his drug addiction during his "Grey's Anatomy" years.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.