Ashton Kutcher and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson have led tributes to the late Eric Dane

Eric's family said in a statement to People: "With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.

"He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world.

"Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight.

"He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he's received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time."

His Valentine's Day co-star Ashton reacted on X: "Miss you, buddy. Let's keep fighting the fight to solve ALS."

Eric portrayed Cal Jacobs in hit HBO teen drama Eurphoria, with Sam telling Variety: "I'm heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric.

"Working with him was an honour. Being his friend was a gift."

The official Euphoria account posted the following: "We are deeply saddened by the news of Eric Dane's passing. He was incredibly talented and HBO was fortunate to have worked with him on three seasons of Euphoria."

His Wedding Wars co-star John Stamos penned: "RIP, Buddy. Me and @realericdane played brothers years ago in a beautiful movie called, Wedding Wars. Good guy. Too soon. Xo J."

Alyssa Milano, who starred alongside Eric in Charmed, shared how the glint in Eric's eye always came a split second before he delivered a line that could either send you into hysterics or shift the way you saw the world.

She penned: "I can't stop seeing that spark in Eric's eye right before he'd say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective. He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard.

"And when it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren't present. You could see it in the way his voice changed when he said their names. A breathtakingly beautiful family.

"The spark. The mischief. The tenderness he kept guarded but never totally hidden."

Their connection went beyond being colleagues.

She recalled: "He convinced me to get my pixie cut and my nose piercing. He also was with me on the walk when we found Lucy, my beloved rescue chihuahua. He called me "Milano," as if it was the only part of my name that mattered.

"My heart is with the people who were lucky enough to be his home."

Nina Dobrev, who worked with Eric on the 2022 romanatic drama Redeeming Love, said: "He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen. ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease."

Eric - best known for playing Dr Mark Sloan in Grey's Anatomy - is survived by his daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom he shared with actress Rebecca Gayheart.

After graduating, Eric moved to Los Angeles and appeared in the likes of Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Charmed, Grey's Anatomy, and Marley and Me.