Eric Dane

Eric Dane was born as Eric T. Melvin on November 9, 1972 in San Francisco, California. His father was an architect and interior designer while his mother was a homemaker. His father passed away when he was a child of seven years. He, along with his younger brother, had a Jewish upbringing. He received his education from Sequoia High School and San Mateo High School.

Dane tied the knot in 2004 with actress Rebecca Gayheart. Their first child Billie Beatrice was born in 2010 and their second child Georgia Geraldine Dane was born in 2011.

The beginning of Eric Dane’s career in showbiz can be traced back to the early 1990s. He started appearing in TV series in small roles in 1991. In 1993, Dane moved to LA and there he got the opportunity to act in a number of roles in television series like ‘Married... with Children,’ ‘Roseanne’ and ‘The Wonder Year.’ It was in 2001 that he bagged a role in ‘Gideon's Crossing’ which got him more publicity and the two-season stint in ‘Charmed’ also worked in his favor. He also acted in a few made-for-TV films like ‘Helter Skelter’ and ‘Serving in Silence.’

After 2000, Dane started getting multiple offers in movies. While he did not exactly sign up for solo leads in big banner films, he managed to get supporting roles in blockbusters that added to his appeal and helped increase his fan base. The first significant feature film he acted in was ‘The Basket.’ His stint in ‘Grey's Anatomy,’ a popular ABC medical drama was planned as a guest appearance. But the audience reaction and the popularity of his character Dr. Mark Sloan led to his becoming a regular in its third season. He left the show after season 8th but again acted in the 9th season briefly.

He has also acted in some mainstream Hollywood movies like ‘Valentine's Day’, a 2010 romantic comedy. In this film, he shared the screen space with stars like Anne Hathaway, Jessica Biel and Julia Roberts. His role in the superhero film ‘X Men: The last Stand’ was brief but it got him attention for his acting prowess. Another major project he was a part of was ‘The Last Ship,’ an apocalyptic drama.

For his impressive performances in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and other TV shows and films, Eric Dane has received a number of awards and nominations. He was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for ‘Grey's Anatomy’ and won the Satellite Award for Best Cast – Television Series and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for the same.

Eric Dane, like some of his colleagues in the showbiz industry has had his share of scandals and controversies. His nude tape with his wife and another woman named Kari Ann Peniche led to some controversies. While working for the TNT series, ‘The Last Ship,’ the shooting had to be halted for some time due to his depression. However, in recent media interviews he has confirmed his recovery from that phase.