Eric Dane filmed his Euphoria season 3 scenes after his ALS diagnosis, and showrunner Sam Levinson worked his symptoms into Cal Jacobs' storyline. The beloved actor, known for his role as Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy, passed away in February after a courageous battle with ALS.
How Euphoria Included Eric Dane's ALS Symptoms
In an interview with Extra, Sam Levinson shared that Eric called him about his diagnosis before shooting began. "We had a lot of conversations about just life and what that meant," Levinson said. "I loved him very deeply, and I said, 'Eric, whatever shape you show up in, we're gonna make it work.'"
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells, leading to muscle weakness, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing. To accommodate Eric's symptoms, Cal's storyline was adapted. Levinson explained: "He showed up and I could tell he had a slight slur in his voice. I said, 'Don't worry. We'll just put five beer bottles in front of you and you've been drinking all night.' He was like, 'Perfect.'"
Eric Dane's Determination to Film
Despite Levinson's reassurance that there was "no pressure" to return, Eric was determined. "I want to do this," he said. In December 2025, after a guest role on Brilliant Minds, Eric stated he had no plans to stop acting, saying he was "grateful that I can still work in any capacity."
When Did Eric Dane Film Euphoria Season 3?
Filming began in April 2025, two months after Eric publicly shared his ALS diagnosis. In a statement, he said: "I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to the set of Euphoria next week." By June 2025, he told Extra he had "shot one day" so far. Filming wrapped in November 2025, though it's unclear how many episodes he filmed. So far, Eric has appeared as Cal in two episodes.
Rest in peace, Eric.
