Late actor Eric Dane conveyed his profound affection for the popular HBO Max series Euphoria in one of the last interviews recorded before his passing. Dane, who died in February 2026 at the age of 53 from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), featured prominently in the show's third and concluding season, having revealed his diagnosis in April 2025.
His reflections on the series were shared in the new documentary, 'Euphoria: A Look Back', which became available for streaming last Friday on HBO Max. In the documentary, Dane, who portrayed the complex character of Cal Jacobs, father to Jacob Elordi's Nate, stated that his involvement with the show was "at times challenging, but the challenges were taken as opportunities." He further described the experience as "such a wonderful experience" and "the most profound experience" of his professional life.
Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria, paid tribute to Dane within the documentary, commending him as "a wonderful human being" and "a wonderful actor." Levinson added that Dane "showed up every day with grace and dignity," highlighting the actor's professionalism and character throughout his time on set, particularly given his health challenges.
The series itself honoured Dane, alongside another late star, Angus Cloud, at the conclusion of its third season premiere episode. Cloud, who played the beloved drug dealer Fezco in the first two seasons, tragically passed away in July 2023 from an accidental overdose at the age of 25. A black screen bearing the words "In Memoriam" appeared with each of their names at the end of the credits, a touching gesture to their contributions.
Dane had previously spoken about the significant impact Euphoria had on his artistic identity. In a 2025 interview, he noted that it was the first role that truly made him feel like an artist. "I’ve always had a profound respect for the craft of acting, but I never considered myself an artist. I could never admit it, until I started making Euphoria," Dane explained, adding, "That’s when I gave myself the allowance to feel like I was an artist." His long-standing admiration for the show and its cast was also evident in a 2022 interview, where he expressed boundless love for the series and awe at the talent of his young co-stars.
Euphoria concluded with its season three finale in May of this year. Fans can now stream 'Euphoria: A Look Back' on HBO Max to delve deeper into the series through interviews with the cast and crew, alongside memorable scenes from across all seasons.