Eric Dane plays Mark Sloan

Eric Dane, 34, is the oldest of two brothers. His father was an architect and interior designer based in San Francisco, where Eric was born. Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart on October 29, 2004.

Dane’s first major feature film appearance was in the 1999 film The Basket, a movie about a small town near Spokane, Washington during World War I.

He has also appeared in the films Sol Goode, Feast, Open Water 2, and as the character of Multiple Man (Jamie Madrox) in the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand.

On the small screen, Dane has a number of guest star credits with his appearances on Charmed, Roseanne, Married with Children, Silk Stalkings, and Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane.

He has appeared in several made-for-TV films, including Serving in Silence, about Margarethe Cammermeyer. He also appeared in the 2004 remake of the Manson family biopic, Helter Skelter, as a member of the Manson clan.

Dane had recurring roles on the shows Gideon’s Crossing (ABC’s short-lived medical drama), The American Embassy, and Charmed. He appeared in seasons five and six as Phoebe Halliwell’s year-long boyfriend, Jason Dean.

In early 2006, Dane made an appearance on Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed “McSteamy,” who is the catalyst behind the infamous breakup of Derek and Addison Shepherd.

Positive response to his appearance led to Dane being a contract player for the show’s third season, and his first appearance in the season has been labeled a “watercooler moment” in a scene with the aformentioned married couple. Dane appeared in the last scene of the episode, as fans are not soon to forget, kwearing only a strategically placed towel.