Patrick Dempsey Reveals ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Costar Eric Dane ‘Was Really Struggling’ Before Death

Patrick Dempsey has opened up about the final conversation he had with his Grey’s Anatomy costar Eric Dane, revealing what the actor’s condition was like in his final days.

The Enchanted actor, 60, appeared on the Friday, February 20, episode of The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, where the host kicked off the interview by asking him about the very sad news that Dane had died after a battle with ALS at age 53.

“I just woke up this morning and I was very sad to read the news,” Dempsey began. “It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children.”

The Bridget Jones’s Baby actor revealed that he’d chatted with the late star recently and got some information about his final days from friends.

“I was corresponding with him. We were texting, so I spoke to him about a week ago,” he said. “Some friends of ours went in to see him. He was really struggling to lose his ability to speak. He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow. So, the quality of his life was deteriorating very rapidly.”

However, Dempsey made sure to pivot the conversation to remembering his friend and costar for who he was before his health began to decline.

“But, he was the funniest man, he was such a joy to work with and I want to just remember him in that spirit because, any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it,” he explained. “He had a great sense of humor, he was easy to work with and we got along instantly.”

He continued, “He was wickedly intelligent and I’m always going to remember those moments of fun we had together and celebrate the joy that he did bring to people’s life. The real loss is for us who don’t have him anymore.”

The star concluded his thoughts on Dane by commending him for his work bringing awareness to ALS after his diagnosis, before issuing a reminder to those who loved the late Euphoria star.

“It just reminds us that we have to celebrate every day like it’s our last,” he concluded.