Euphoria‘s season 3 premiere found a way to pay tribute to Eric Dane after his death.
Before the episode aired on Sunday, April 12, a title card with Dane’s photo was shown, with the message, “In remembrance of Eric Dane.” The actor is still expected to make an appearance in the upcoming season as Cal.
News originally broke in February that Dane died after a battle with ALS, which is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and has no cure.
“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” read a statement from Dane’s loved ones. “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.”
The statement concluded: “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.”
Dane originally went public with his diagnosis less than a year prior.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he said in an April 2025 statement. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter. I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to [the] set of Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Dane isn’t the only costar the Euphoria cast has lost. Angus Cloud, who played Fez, died in July 2025 following an accidental overdose. He was 25.
“Some people ask why it took so long between seasons 2 and 3. There were obvious factors — the strikes, trying to make a schedule work with our very in-demand cast, but the real time was in trying to figure out how to find a way to pay respect to those who we lost,” creator Sam Levinson said in a speech ahead of the season 3 premiere.
He continued: “When Angus died, it was tough. I loved him deeply, and I fought hard to keep him clean. The year he died, in 2023, he was one of 73,000 people in America who died of a fentanyl overdose. I learned a whole lot that year, but what I realized more than anything is that death is what gives life meaning. You can’t be arrogant about existence. You’re forced to reckon with the fact that life itself is a wonder, a gift, a profound blessing.”
