The televised 2026 Oscars Memoriam excluded Eric Dane, who played Dr. Marc Sloane on Grey’s Anatomy. The show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, says the omission is appropriate.
Eric battled ALS and passed away on February 19. Shonda paid tribute to him following his death.
The Grey’s Anatomy creator says Eric Dane was “not a movie star”
Along with Eric, who played Dr. Mark Sloane on 145 episodes of the show, other actors were notably absent from the Oscars’ Memoriam. These included James Van Der Beek, Brigitte Bardot, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Robert Carradine and Bud Cort of Harold and Maude fame.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Shonda said Eric was a star on TV, not in movies. “I feel like when the Emmys come around, he will be immortalized the way he should be. I don’t think … we can’t fault the Oscars for the fact they’re looking at movies, and there were so many people who were lost … Eric was unique to television.”
Shonda added, “He was just a wonderful, wonderful giving guy. And I don’t think everybody understands how amazing he was.”
However, Robert Redford, Diane Keaton and Rob Reiner received prominent tributes. Barbra Streisand sang “The Way We Were”, memorializing Robert, her on-screen partner. Rachel McAdams eulogized Diane, her The Family Stone co-star. Rob’s heartfelt tribute featured close friend Billy Crystal and included actors from his many movies gathering on stage.
Shonda honored Eric after his death, saying he was a talented actor and left “an indelible mark” on the show, its fans and people around the world. “on the series and on audiences around the world. “We are grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship and humanity he shared with us for so many years,” she said.
TELL US – SHOULD ERIC AND THE OTHER ACTORS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE OSCARS MEMORIAM SEGMENT?
