“Grey’s Anatomy” alum Eric Dane shared his journey of overcoming difficult times without resorting to drugs or alcohol after embracing sobriety.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, the 58-year-old actor, known for his role in the new movie “One Fast Move,” discussed his strategy for navigating challenges after grappling with addiction.
“Sometimes you just have to hold on and remember that this too shall pass,” Dane stated. “I never expected life to be easy all the time, regardless of the circumstances.”
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Eric Dane reflected on how he overcomes the “down times” without using substances and alcohol after becoming sober. (Getty Images)
He continued, “So I think understanding that not everything is going to be a walk in the park has certainly prepared me to put myself in the best position to weather some of the down times.”
“They come fast and furious, and a lot of the times all you can do is just hang on and know that it’s going to pass,” Dane added. “And I no longer use substances and alcohol and things of that nature to deal with any of that stuff, good or bad.”
“It’s not celebratory, and it’s not something I pick up when … things aren’t great. And the only way out is through.”
WATCH: ‘GREY’S ANATOMY’ ALUM ERIC DANE ON HOW HE OVERCOMES ‘DOWN TIMES’ AFTER BECOMING SOBER
In a June appearance on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, Dane detailed the real reason behind his exit from “Grey’s Anatomy,” where he portrayed Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan.
When discussing his time on the show, Dane revealed that he had been sober for three to four years when he landed the role.
“So I had my wits about me and I sort of knew what reality was and what reality wasn’t,” he shared. “And I was able to differentiate between the two. And I was able to sort of conceptualize what that was, keep it in its place, enjoy it, dip in every now and again and come back.”
Dane was first introduced on “Grey’s Anatomy” as Dr. Mark Sloan in season 2. He became a series regular in season 3. (Bob DAmico/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
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Dane joined the show as a series regular in season three after his character generated buzz in a sizzling towel scene in the second season.
“The net-net is I didn’t really handle it very well,” he admitted. “Because if you take the whole eight years on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ I was f—ed up longer than I was sober. And that’s when things started going sideways for me.”
Dane revealed that he relapsed during his time on the show while attempting to navigate the expectations of playing a popular character on television.
His character met his demise in the second episode of season nine, which aired in October 2012. In 2013, Dane disclosed to Entertainment Weekly that his exit provided him with an opportunity to explore new endeavors.
However, Dane admitted in his conversation with Shepard that he was, in fact, “let go” from the series.
The actor created a buzz when he appeared wearing nothing but a towel. (Vivian Zink/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
“I didn’t leave so much as I think I was let go. I was struggling. They didn’t let me go because of that, although it definitely didn’t help,” Dane disclosed, as he entered rehab in 2011 for a painkiller addiction.
“I was starting to become very expensive for the network, as most actors who have been on a show for a significant amount of time do,” Dane noted. “And the network understands that the show will thrive regardless of who they retain. As long as they have their ‘Grey,’ they’re fine.”
“I wasn’t the same person they initially hired, so I understood when I was released. And [creator] Shonda [Rhimes] was incredibly supportive. She protected us both publicly and privately,” Dane shared.
Reflecting further during the Fox News Digital interview, Dane delved into his struggles during his tenure on the show.
WATCH: ‘GREY’S ANATOMY’ ALUM ERIC DANE DIDN’T BLAME SHOW FOR DROPPING HIM WHILE HE STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION
“I was dealing with personal issues, and they were affecting my professional life,” admitted the “X-Men: The Last Stand” actor.
“They were influencing how I carried out my responsibilities,” he added. “So when I mentioned not being the same person they had hired, that’s what I meant.”
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“I didn’t hold them accountable for letting me go,” Dane clarified. “I understood. I said, ‘Okay, that decision makes sense to me. No hard feelings. Thank you for the wonderful years I spent with you all. And thank you for tolerating my behavior at times. And thank you for recognizing my contributions to the show.’”
“I harbor no animosity toward any of them. I met up with [former ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ co-star] Justin Chambers recently,” Dane added.
Dane was struggling with his sobriety while filming the show. (Gale Adler/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
In 2021, Dane returned to “Grey’s Anatomy” after nine years for a dream sequence in one episode of the show’s 17th season.
In a recent interview with People magazine, Dane confessed that while he has only seen “a few episodes” of the show post his exit, his daughters, Beatrice, 14, and Georgia, 12, have watched every episode. The actor shares his daughters with ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart.
Discussing his “McSteamy” persona, Dane disclosed how his daughters reacted to it.
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