Chyler Leigh has opened up about the moment he found out about his ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ cast Eric Dane”s passing, describing the flood of emotions that followed in a frank and honest conversation. The 44-year-old actor, Dr. Lexie Grey, who starred opposite Dane’s Dr. Mark Sloan in the beloved medical drama, has opened up about the deep bond she shared with her late co-star and her grief ever since. Dane, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, died on February 19 at the age of 53, less than a year after his diagnosis. His death sent ripples through the entertainment community and among fans of the long-running series.
Chyler Leigh the moment she learned of Eric Dane’s death
Speaking on the May 13 episode of the ‘You Might Know Her From’ podcast, Leigh recalled the moment she got the news. “It had been a while since I connected with him, and then I got the news,” he said. “Then it hit me. At first, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe this happened.’Leigh admitted that at first she struggled to process what she heard. According to him, the news didn’t fully sink in until he was on a flight home from Los Angeles to Nashville a few days later. “All of a sudden, it hit,” he recalled. “I had to keep getting up and using the bathroom because I was just sobbing.” He added: “I didn’t know I was going to get hit so hard and especially so quickly. It was definitely a shock.“
Chyler Leigh in memory of Eric Dane
Nearly three months on, Leigh says she’s gradually returning to fond memories she shared with her late colleague. “When I watch the reels of his past work, it’s not like I’m getting over it,” she explained, “but I’m able to get past the utter devastation of it and appreciate even more those incredible moments we had together.”The ‘Supergirl’ actress remembered Dane as a wonderful scene partner with one of the kindest hearts. “We had a deep relationship, mutual respect,” she said, calling him “a deep, deep man.” He added: “It was really special to work with him. We always had the ability to laugh even in the most absurd or devastating situations.”
Chyler Leigh’s tribute to Eric Dane
Immediately following her death, Leigh shared a statement with E! News paying tribute to his former colleague. “Eric had a heart of gold,” she said. “His sense of humor and especially his laugh was contagious. He was a very 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 SO MUCH. He was incredibly passionate about his work and the causes close to his heart.“He concluded, “The universe is definitely holding Eric right now, as I will forever continue to do in my heart.”Dane shared his two daughters, Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14, with his wife. Rebecca Gayheart.
