LOS ANGELES, CA (Media Talk Africa) — Eric Dane has opened up about his departure from Grey’s Anatomy, revealing that he believes he was fired from the show due to financial reasons rather than his struggles with addiction.
In a candid interview on the latest episode of Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, the 51-year-old actor, known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on the ABC medical drama, shared insights into why he left the series after a six-season run from 2006 to 2012.
“I didn’t leave so much as I think I was let go,” Dane admitted. “I was starting to become very expensive for the network.”
Dane, who has since starred in Euphoria, addressed the impact of his personal struggles during his time on Grey’s Anatomy. “I was struggling. They didn’t let me go because of that, although it definitely didn’t help,” he said, acknowledging his issues with drug and alcohol addiction during the later years of his tenure.
Dane explained that he believes financial considerations drove the decision to part ways with the show. “I was starting to become — as most of these actors who have spent significant time on the show — you start to become very expensive for the network,” he said. “And the network knows that the show is going to do what it’s going to do irrespective of who they keep on it—as long as they have their Grey they were fine.”
Despite his departure, Dane expressed gratitude towards Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes, praising her for her support throughout his struggles. “She protected us fiercely. She protected us publicly, she protected us privately… I love Shonda Rhimes and she protected me but I was probably fired,” Dane recalled.
The actor also noted that he wasn’t the same person when he left the show as he had been when he was first hired. “I wasn’t the same guy they had hired,” he said. “So I understood when the producers decided to let me go.”
Dane’s character, Dr. Mark Sloan, met a tragic end in the Season 8 finale of Grey’s Anatomy, dying as a result of the plane crash that was central to the storyline. Although he survived the crash itself, he passed away at the beginning of Season 9. He made a guest appearance in Season 17, reuniting with Chyler Leigh, who played his onscreen love interest, Lexie Grey.
