Nicolas Gonzalez February 20th, 2026 - 6:24 PM
Euphoria creator Sam Levinson (Euphoria, The Idol) paid tribute to Eric Dane (Grey’s Anatomy, Burlesque) following the actor’s death, reflecting on his presence within the HBO drama’s creative family, Deadline reports. Dane portrayed Cal Jacobs, a central and complex figure in the series whose storyline explored themes of identity, repression, and generational trauma.
In a statement shared with Deadline, Levinson honored Dane’s artistic contributions and personal impact on the production. “Eric was a deeply committed actor and an even better human being,” Levinson said, emphasizing the performer’s dedication to the role and to the ensemble. He added that Dane brought “extraordinary depth and vulnerability” to Cal, shaping one of the show’s most psychologically layered characters.
Levinson’s remarks framed Dane as a foundational creative partner whose work resonated both on screen and behind the scenes, Deadline describes. The tribute highlighted the emotional weight carried by long-form television collaborations, where cast and crew often form close professional bonds over multiple seasons of production.
Dane joined Euphoria as part of its core adult ensemble, helping ground the series’ heightened emotional narratives through parental and institutional perspectives. His portrayal of Cal Jacobs became one of the show’s most discussed performances, particularly as the character’s backstory and inner conflicts unfolded.
The loss reverberated across Euphoria’s creative community, reflected in Sam Levinson’s tribute and messages from co-stars Sydney Sweeney (Anyone But You, The White Lotus) and Barbie Ferreira (Nope, Unpregnant), who shared his segment on Netflix’s series Famous Last Words honoring Dane’s legacy. mxdwn previously covered Dane’s partnership with an ALS research nonprofit, highlighting his advocacy work and public reemergence, and reporting on his death and the industry’s response to his career.
View this post on Instagram
Together, those moments underscore Levinson’s tribute, positioning Dane not only as a performer but as a collaborator who helped shape the series’ emotional foundation. Tributes also extended beyond Euphoria. Kim Raver (Grey’s Anatomy, 24), who starred opposite Dane’s Mark Sloan as Dr. Teddy Altman on Grey’s Anatomy, wrote on Instagram, “Eric was a light. You’d see it effortlessly shine from him on the set of Grey’s as well as when he was with Rebecca and the girls.”
View this post on Instagram
As the Euphoria series continues its production trajectory, Levinson’s words serve as both a reminder and a recognition. The tribute affirms Dane’s lasting imprint on the show’s storytelling and on the creative community that brought it to life.
