's former boss Shonda Rhimes had a straightforward reaction to the actor's omission from Sunday's.
Dane died on February 19 at age 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
'Well, he's not a movie star,' 56-year-old Rhimes told ET when asked for her thoughts on the Academy's decision to exclude Dane from its tribute.
She added, 'I feel like when the come around, he will be immortalized the way he should be.
'You can't fault the for the fact they're looking at movies, and there were so many people who are lost. Eric was unique to television and I can't wait to see what [the Emmys] do with him.'
It comes after Dane's family's reaction to his exclusion from the tribute was also revealed.
Eric Dane's former Grey's Anatomy boss Shonda Rhimes had a straightforward reaction to the actor's omission from Sunday's Oscar memoriam – 'He's not a movie star'; pictured on March 15 at the Vanity Fair Oscar party
Dane died on February 19 at age 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); pictured in June 2025
The Euphoria star was married to Rebecca Gayheart and they shared daughters Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14.
An insider said Dane's exclusion from the Oscars In Memoriam 'saddened' his family, but added that they understood why he was left out as 2025 had been 'a year of profound loss for the industry.'
Dane joined the Grey's Anatomy cast in 2006, and the day he died coincidentally marked the 20th anniversary of his debut on the series
An insider said Dane's exclusion from the Oscars In Memoriam 'saddened' his family, but added that they understood why he was left out as 2025 had been 'a year of profound loss for the industry'; L-R His daughter Georgia, 14, wife Rebecca Gayheart, 54, and daughter Billie, 16, pictured on March 17
Rhimes released a statement in the wake of Dane's death, which read: 'Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey's Anatomy families.
'He was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the world.'
She continued: 'We are grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship and humanity he shared with us for so many years. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his work.'
In 2024 Dane admitted on the Armchair Expert podcast that his drug use while filming Grey's Anatomy meant 'things started going sideways for me,' and his character was killed off by Rhimes in 2012.
'I wasn't the same guy they had hired, so I understood when I was let go,' he said.
He noted, 'And Shonda was really great. She protected us fiercely.
'She protected us publicly. She protected us privately. … But I was probably fired. It wasn't ceremoniously like, 'You're fired,' it was just like, 'You're not coming back.''
